Summer Game Fest 2026 draws ever closer, and this might be GamesRadar+'s longest Wildcard Wishlist yet. The Summer Game Fest 2026 schedule grows more detailed by the week, with an Xbox Games Showcase and Gears of War special confirmed so far alongside Day of the Devs and a Wholesome Direct. But instead of being rational when it comes to specific game predictions, I've enlisted my most trusted dreamer colleagues in outlining all the new games we hope to see – no matter how out-of-pocket they might be. (I mean, I was right about Resident Evil Requiem's reveal last summer, after all.)

This is our third year of putting our hearts before our heads in the leadup to the showcase season. Here, you'll find everything from announced upcoming PS5 and upcoming Xbox Series X games we'd love to see more of, like The Witcher 4 and GTA 6, to upcoming Ubisoft games that have yet to be revealed despite reportedly entering development. They're all alike in one way: we have no real reason to be hoping for a major update from them at Summer Game Fest this year… but man, would we love to see it. Get the hopium ready, people. Here are the GamesRadar+ team's most-wanted wildcard games of SGF 2026!

1. Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

The leaks are out there now, which means I'm just waiting for some official Assassin's Creed Codename Hexe news to validate it. It's been a busy time for Ubisoft, with Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynched launching mere months from now, but what can I say? I'm a sucker for a rich, gloomy setting, and a game set during the European witch trials would definitely tick that box. After all these years jumping between RPGs and stealth action, it's high time Ubisoft injects some much-needed provincial magic into the mix. I saw Ezio Auditore with the devil!

2. Divinity

Developer: Larian Studios
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

We only just learned of Larian's new RPG at The Game Awards 2025, so maybe I'm greedy to hope for another peek so soon at Summer Game Fest. But can you blame me? The stunning reveal trailer introduces a far grislier side to the Baldur's Gate 3 studio than we've ever seen before, with a man getting burned alive inside a wicker effigy while townspeople celebrate around the pyre with rapturous glee. All eyes are on Larian as it quietly works to bring this sinister medieval fantasy to life, and while I'm more than happy to wait patiently, I really hope the studio doesn't leave too long before our next glimpse.

3. Haunted Chocolatier

Developer: ConcernedApe
Platform(s): PC
Release date: TBC

I know, I know, ConcernedApe (aka Eric Barone) has told us time and time again that he's still wrapped up in Stardew Valley and won't be showing off his upcoming RPG anytime soon. But it would be remiss of me not to include the elusive Haunted Chocolatier on this list, even as someone with admittedly little knowledge of his other works. The combination of its quirky setting, social sim elements, and a greater focus on combat this time around in this "way bigger" game is what grips me about it, and the fact that it's still so shrouded in mystery only piques my interest further. C'mon, Mr Barone - break off a square for us at Summer Game Fest?

4. Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet

Developer: Naughty Dog
Platform(s): PS5
Release date: TBC

It's been two years since Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet was revealed at The Game Awards 2024, and Naughty Dog has been quiet for far too long. The Last of Us developer's latest looks like a stunning sci-fi adventure, with a brief cinematic reveal trailer the only thing we have to go on for now. It's the studio's "wildest, most creative story yet" according to Neil Druckman, but I'm most keen for a better look at its combat after a glimpse of its third-person melee action. Here's hoping SGF 2026 sees Naughty Dog reminding us of its upcoming PS5 exclusive in style – maybe even with a release window?

5. Marvel's Blade

Developer: Arkane Lyon
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X
Release date: TBC

The coolest vamp slayer in the Marvel universe is past due a temperature check, but with such little news of late, I'm not feeling confident we'll be seeing Marvel's Blade at Summer Game Fest 2026. Studio Arkane's upcoming Marvel game has been in the works for years now, and save for some stills shared in 2025, we really haven't learned much since its first reveal in 2023. But maybe that silence is soon to end, should Arkane appear during an Xbox showcase this summer to give the PS5's upcoming Marvel's Wolverine a run for its money? Again, I have no grounds for this supposition except… what if?

6. Mass Effect 5

Developer: BioWare
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

After Dragon Age: The Veilguard tied a bow on Dragon Age for what will likely be a long time to come, I have my sights firmly set on my other favorite BioWare series: Mass Effect. With Mass Effect 5 in the works, there's always a small part of me that hopes we'll learn more about the next space-faring adventure. With only crumbs to go off of so far – which amounts to cryptic teasers here and there – there are so many questions I have about what's in store. As the developer is busy working on the next entry, I don't expect we'll actually see it at Summer Game Fest this year… But hey, there's always N7 Day in November.

7. Cyberpunk 2

Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

What else is this list for but to wish for the day CD Projekt Red unveils Cyberpunk 2 for real? We've known about the existence of the Cyberpunk 2077 sequel for some time now, with some rumors (or leaks, considering they came from the IP creator himself) that it will be set outside of Night City in Chicago instead. This is about as wildcard of a wishlist item I could possibly think of, and there's as much likelihood of it being shown at Summer Game Fest as there is of Keanu Reeves breaking into my house to offer me a cigarette. But both are things I'd quite enjoy, so leave a girl to her dreams.

8. Far Cry 7

Developer: TBA
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

While I'm still high on complete fantasy, we need to talk about Far Cry 7. Ubisoft has been especially quiet about the followup to 2021's Far Cry 6, so much so that it hasn't even been revealed yet. The rumor mill suggests that it could be coming as soon as next year, but as Ubisoft goes through a period of restructuring, there's never been a murkier time to be a fan of its top IPs. Still, if a Ubisoft Forward is on the cards for this summer, maybe it's not so wild to imagine a Far Cry 7 reveal after all? Not sure how I feel about the 24 hour time-limit, though…

9. The Witcher 4

Developer: CD Projekt Red
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X, PS5
Release date: TBC

More than a decade after Geralt hung up his swords, The Witcher 4 seems tantalisingly close yet remains just out of reach. Last summer's tech demo suggests CDPR has been quietly making major strides, but since then we've heard almost nothing about Ciri's upcoming adventure beyond a promising series of hiring announcements. Unfortunately, we're not expecting to return to The Continent before 2027, which means a major announcement is unlikely, but a new trailer setting up Ciri's story or her adventure in the new region of Kovir could be the start of a major 18-month hype cycle.

10. The Elder Scrolls 6

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

After a whopping 14 years of… well, not much of anything, I'm still unwaveringly hopeful we'll see The Elder Scrolls 6 make an appearance at another event, even if it hasn't since its very first reveal at E3 back in 2018. Sure, Todd Howard himself has joked that we should all "just pretend" that Bethesda never announced its long-awaited next RPG, but that's far easier said than done. I'd love to see a sneak peek of the setting – whether or not it's truly the ever-rumored Hammerfell or High Rock – or perhaps get an idea of when it's set. Will it take place after or before Skyrim? Will we see playable races we've never seen before, like the Falmer? I doubt it, but hey, a girl can dream – and dreaming is exactly what I'll be doing.

11. Grand Theft Auto 6

Developer: Rockstar Games
Platform(s): PS5, Xbox Series X
Release date: November 19, 2026

With Grand Theft Auto 6 set to launch on November 19 and no further delays in sight, expect to hear a lot more from Rockstar in the coming months. Although the game's two existing trailers have been released with little build-up or fanfare, Summer Game Fest 2026 could be the perfect stage for Rockstar to open the floodgates as the run-up to launch begins. After all, we still don't know much about what we'll be getting up to in Leonida, nor what to expect from GTA 6's multiplayer. Will anything from our GTA 6 wishlist come true at SGF 2026? Time will tell!

12. Persona 6

Developer: Atlus
Platform(s): TBC
Release date: TBC

As Persona 5 fast approaches its tenth anniversary, having complete silence on the next proper game in the RPG series is starting to make me sweat, but Persona 6 news might come soon. The fifth game propelled this teen drama series into the spotlight like never before, and as a (mostly) anthology-style series the big question is just how what will Persona 6 do next? Stick with its predecessors urban, Tokyo vibes? Return to a rural small town, like Persona 4? Will they age up teens to college students? Will it still be set in Japan, or span multiple locations? Will it be green?! It could be anything. Which also means, at the moment, it's nothing. I simply have to know what direction they'll be taking, so even a small teaser will do. But, like everyone else waiting, I demand to be impressed. No pressure now.

13. Wolf Among Us 2

Developer: Telltale / Adhoc Studio
Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X
Release date: TBC

It's somehow been nearly seven years since The Wolf Among Us 2 was first announced at the Game Awards back in 2019. Fast forward to today, and we've seen a few trailers, screenshots, and story details. But after a string of delays and some radio silence, I have no idea what's happening when it comes to Bigby's longwaited return. Even so, I still yearn for the sequel to my favorite Telltale game to finally see the light of day. With Adhoc Studio's – who penned Bigby's return – releasing a fantastic episodic story-driven experience in Dispatch last year, my appetite for Wolf Among Us 2 only intensifies. May Bigby huff and puff this year down.

14. Witchbrook

Developer(s): Chucklefish, Robotality
Platform(s): PC, Switch, Switch 2, Xbox Series X
Release date: TBC 2026

Witchbrook has been at the top of every cozy gamers most anticipated list since it was officially announced back in 2018. However, it's almost been eight years now and we still don't have a firm release date for the magic centered life-sim. The good news is that after it was delayed last year, the new 2026 launch window hasn't moved from the game's store pages. And, considering that we haven't got any new dev blog entries via the title's website either since December, I have my fingers crossed that we'll see it make an appearance during the Wholesome Direct on June 6. I'm craving to live out my cute pixelated witch fantasy and after a decade of waiting, it's time that we all get our hands on this one.

Iron is forged from rocks and flame, and, just as strong, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion sounds like it was made with a lot of trust. Sorry, not "made" – "The great Todd Howard says that great games are played, not made," explains former Bethesda marketing executive Pete Hines in a new interview.

"Meaning, every idea you have about what's good or not only matters if somebody starts playing it, and then that's what's going to define whether it's good or not," Hines tells DBLTAP. Howard apparently applied this philosophy to Oblivion's development, which saw several versions of the RPG's, ultimately, simple but calculated combat.

"Oblivion changed combat systems three times during development," Hines says. "So we were careful not to talk about how combat works, because we don't even know if the version we've got is final. So we're trying to place our bets on what parts of the game we feel confident are going to resonate with people."

This perspective leads publisher Bethesda to many unturned stones – like in the case of Arkane Studios' 2012 action-adventure game Dishonored, which wasn't supposed to allow players to momentarily possess its gloopy fish to better sneak around waterways, until it did. A QA tester discovered the bug, and Dishonored devs decided to lean into it.

"All of a sudden," Hines remembers, "the game's water goes from not mattering at all to, 'Oh, it really matters,' because we're not going to take that out. But now we have to account for it. So the pivot is we should talk about embracing player creativity."

Former Bethesda exec Pete Hines "hated the confusion" around The Elder Scrolls studio "making a new game, and everybody thinking, 'Oh, it's Todd Howard's team.'"

Arkane Studios' upcoming Marvel's Blade game might have been given a budget of over $109 million, according to a recently uncovered report published on the French National Assembly site.

As highlighted by journalist Kilian Fichou on Twitter (and further shared by Wikipedia editor Timur222), the report was first published last year, discussing tax credit for game companies. The National Assembly is a part of the French Parliament, and, of course, the Blade game's developer is based in France, which is where it comes into things.

In the report (which we've machine-translated as it was published in French), it's claimed that Star Wars Eclipse from Quantic Dream was forecast a budget of 100 million euros (over $116 million at the current conversion rate), of which there was expected to be 73 million euros (almost $85 million) of expenditure in France between 2022 and 2025. The report then mentions a "new game" from Arkane Studios, which it doesn't refer to by name, but says it was "approved in 2023." Marvel's Blade was announced in late 2023 during The Game Awards, so that appears to line up.

This game, the report continues, apparently has a budget exceeding 94 million euros (over $109 million, roughly), of which there's reportedly expected to be 91 million euros (almost $106 million) of expenditure in France between 2023 and 2026.

Obviously, there's a chance that Arkane is secretly working on another game behind the scenes that it could be spending this money on, but Marvel's Blade is the only one we're aware of. It's also worth noting that the report mentioning 2026 doesn't necessarily mean that's when the game is planned to be launched – after all, the studio's financial statement for the last year recently revealed that an AAA game was able to enter the production phase by the end of 2024. If that was Marvel's Blade, then it doesn't sound like we can expect that on shelves any time soon.

Of course, $109 million is a lot of money, but it'd be far from the biggest-budget Marvel game we've seen. It's alleged that Marvel's Spider-Man 2 may have cost around $300 million to make, which is an enormous difference. More money doesn't necessarily make a better game, of course, although Spider-Man 2 is definitely one of the best PS5 games. Who knows how the two will compare when Marvel's Blade eventually launches?

Arkane lead says Marvel's Blade will "explore uncharted dimensions of our art" building on Dishonored, Prey, Deathloop, and yes, even Redfall.

Arkane Studios' financial statement for the last year is out, and it looks like Marvel's Blade might have entered full production at the end of 2024.

One particular line in the documents mention that "the production phase of a AAA game project was able to be launched at the end of 2024, following the validation of the prototype," via machine translations.

Of course, that's vague enough to be about any game, but the report also reveals the developer employs around 190 people, so it probably doesn't have the bandwidth to co-develop two AAA games simultaneously. Stand down, Dishonored 3 hopefuls.

Like me, you might have raised an eyebrow at the date because the studio actually announced it was adapting the superhero vampire hunter a full year before at The Game Awards 2023. But I'm guessing the "validation of the prototype" likely refers to its pre-production phase, and as we've seen from CD Projekt Red's transparency, pre-production can sometimes last years.

A Deathloop developer also previously suggested that Marvel's Blade was being worked on in some capacity a full two years before its first trailer, so make of that timeline what you will.

There is also the question of Dishonored 3, which was accidentally leaked in a Microsoft court document before Marvel's Blade's reveal, alongside the now-released Oblivion Remastered. It's entirely possible the imsim giant experimented with a few concepts after its 2021 FPS Deathloop, including a sequel to its biggest hit, before landing on Blade. (As much as I'd love another installment in the excellent stealth series.)

Either way, it doesn't seem like Arkane Studios' next game will be sneaking up on us anytime soon.

For now, check out some new games of 2025 that aren't as shrouded in mystery.

The studio behind vampire FPS Redfall has announced that no further updates are coming, with refunds offered to purchasers of premium content that will never enter the game as a result of Arkane Austin's closure.

"Arkane Austin will close and development will not continue on Redfall," reads an official statement on Twitter. "Redfall players who purchased the Hero Pass as part of the premium Bite Back edition or the premium Bite Back upgrade will be eligible to receive the value of the upgrade." The premium content in question amounted to the addition of two new playable DLC characters and various cosmetic weapons skins and outfits. While the studio has ceased work on all future updates, Arkane Austin has assured that "Redfall's servers will remain online for players to enjoy".

Arkane Austin is one of many ZeniMax-Bethesda developers affected by Microsoft's latest spate of studio shutdowns, along with with Hi-Fi Rush and Evil Within developer Tango Gameworks, as Microsoft enters a period of "reprioritization of titles and resources" (via IGN). In the same email, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty says that "some members of the [Arkane Austin] team [are] joining other studios to work on projects across Bethesda," and "make-good offers" will be made to players who have already purchased Redfall's unfinished premium content.

While Redfall's lukewarm reception at launch in May 2023 was disappointing, as noted in our own Redfall review, subsequent updates had put the game in much better standing, improving its stability across the board to prove Redfall a solid FPS experience now in 2024.

Redfall will remain available to play on Xbox via Xbox Game Pass, and Arkane Austin has directed premium content buyers to apply for refunds through Bethesda directly.

Arkane Lyon head reacts to Arkane Austin's closure by Microsoft: a "f***ing gut stab"

A year after Redfall's disappointing launch, its players are still waiting for one of the $100 special edition bonuses they were promised. 

As reported by Kotaku, on Redfall's first anniversary, developer Arkane is yet to deliver one of its special edition bonuses. The Bite Back Edition, which is still available to purchase at the time of writing, promised fans an exclusive steel book, a physical patch, exclusive skins, weapons, outfits for the main characters, and the Redfall Hero Pass - which would add "two future heroes" at an unspecified date.

Talking to fans who purchased the Bite Back Edition of the FPS, Kotaku found that they're still waiting for those previously promised heroes. "The fact it’s taken over a year now shows Redfall either hit issues or they hadn’t even started [on the DLC], which is bizarre," a Discord user called Obvious tells the outlet. "Some people think they might be working on it behind the scenes for another big release at some point, but I’m starting to lose hope in that."

Five months after its release, Redfall got its promised 60 FPS mode on Xbox - which also added other improvements. Just a month after this, in November 2023, Arkane published an update and said: "We're continuing development of The Hero Pass and we're excited to share more about Redfall's new heroes and other updates later next year." Clearly, the developer hasn't given up on the idea but we're yet to get any other information on this. 

Unfortunately, it might be too little too late for Arkane, as Redfall is struggling to get more than 100 concurrent players on Steam (according to SteamDB) these days. Here's hoping it can have a Cyberpunk 2077-style comeback and deliver its future heroes soon. 

Find out what it's like to play Arkane's FPS in 2024: A year on, I'm playing arguably the worst game of 2023 – and I'm actually enjoying myself.

Arkane is a studio known for making highly immersive and creative games, and every time Dishonored or Deathloop or Prey are mentioned, I want to say, "oh yeah, I love Arkane games". I then immediately remind myself that, of the four Arkane games I've played, Dishonored is the only one I've completed. As demonstrated by my incomplete Dishonored 2, Deathloop, and Redfall saves, I've realized recently that I like the idea of Arkane's immersive sims more than actually playing them because of how intimidating they can be to both get into and stick with.

Thankfully, with Ereban: Shadow Legacy, a stealth platformer from Baby Robot Games, I think I've found a great entry point to the genre. In my mind, it just barely ticks enough of the genre's boxes that it qualifies as the lightest of immersive sims, mixing player choice, open missions, and a versatile array of abilities to help you complete your mission, with the main one being the Splatoon-inspired core mechanic, Shadow Merge.

The urge to merge

In Ereban: Shadow Legacy, you play as Ayana, the sole survivor of the titular Ereban who have all mysteriously vanished since the end of a violent energy crisis. As a humanoid Ereban, Ayana can fade into shadows, rendering her completely undetectable to enemies and allowing her to glide across most shaded surfaces as a shadowy blob. Shadow Merge is essentially the kid-to-squid mechanic from Splatoon, except instead of firing jets of ink to create paths to swim through, you're restricted to the existing shadows cast by the sun and lights.

I opted for a less lethal approach for my playthrough, so slinking past enemies by finding clever paths around, over, or through obstacles with Shadow Merge was necessary, but also always made me feel like I had really outsmarted Ayana's robotic foes, the Syms. I love that the developers at Baby Robot Games clearly appreciate Splatoon's basic movement ability a lot, so took it and expanded it for a completely new purpose in Ereban: Shadow Legacy – now it's a viable stealth, movement, combat, and puzzle tool. It's a simple mechanic that's executed almost perfectly, feeling satisfying to use however you see fit, whether that's a lethal or non-lethal approach.

However, as a hero in a light immersive sim, Ayana needs more than just Shadow Merge to beat the Syms and their masters at the Helios megacorporation. As you progress, you can unlock even more Shadow Powers, buy smaller enhancements, and craft upgradeable gadgets. The Shadow Powers are obviously the main draw, and being split into lethal, non-lethal, and mixed categories, there's a lot of choice when it comes to using it all.

With my slightly more merciful approach, my first new power was Shadow Blind, letting me chuck a blinding orb at a Sym so I could slip past even without Shadow Merge. If I was feeling a bit more murderous, I could've unlocked Shadow Portal instead, which lets you swallow up a dead robot body with a black hole, leaving no trace of your exploits. But I especially loved the final non-lethal ability, Shadow Control, which lets you harmlessly possess an enemy for a limited time, allowing you to move freely without putting other Syms on high alert.

Admittedly, even with just the powers you unlock from the story, Ayana is very powerful by the end of the game, and Helios' Syms don't quite level up to match this. That means Ereban: Shadow Legacy certainly isn't a challenging stealth game – remember you have an ability that makes you completely undetectable right from the start – but that's a big part of why I think it's such a great introduction to the more intense world of immersive sims.

Over the course of the game's small six-hour length, you'll quickly learn and master Ayana's Shadow Powers and gadgets to evade or utterly dismantle Sym patrols, making you feel like a ghost in the night by the end. But gadgets and Shadow Powers need to be used sparingly thanks to limited uses, and small mistakes can still cost you dearly, resulting in getting zapped by an angry Sym. Even when things do go badly, a generous checkpointing system means you never lose 30-minutes of patient, cramp-inducing sneaking as you might in other games, and you won't have to rely on save scrubbing either. All in all, it makes Ereban: Shadow Legacy a highly forgiving experience that still leaves plenty of room for relishing the shadows. 

Ereban: Shadow Legacy is out now on PC. See what else we've been enjoying in our Indie Spotlight series or see what's on the horizon with our roundup of upcoming indie games. 

"What are we doing here again?" This is the question I keep asking my friend as we explore Redfall in all its strangeness. At the time of writing, we've completed about two thirds of last year's critically-panned first-person shooter, and I still have no idea what is happening. I'm told there is an overarching story taking place, one that necessitates a bunch of teenagers doing the hard work on behalf of the comparatively useless adults left holding down the fort. That's nice and all, but I'm largely just here to shoot things and chat shit with my buddy.

Maybe it's the freeze-frame style voiceover "cutscenes" sitting in lieu of full animation. Maybe it's the fact that I am obsessed with Arkane's stylish goth-chic vampires and would rather not kill them. Whatever the reason is behind my inability to get involved in its story, though, I have to confess that I'm having a great time using Redfall as a private playground to hang out in now that it's been patched up to the point of being actually functional.

Back to the street

Redfall is a game I was so excited for, and yet never ended up playing after hearing how categorically broken and janky it was on day one. Between the gameplay clips I suffered through on YouTube and our Editor-In-Chief's bleak experience in her Redfall review, I conceded defeat before even trying it out. I largely agree with Sam's take – one year on, Redfall is still a far cry from being the most inventive FPS ever, comprising a handful of cookie-cutter mission formats underpinned by an uninspired storyline. 

But what it lacks in originality is made up for in a world that is so ridiculous, it becomes accidentally satirical. Suffice it to say: I'm not playing Redfall because it's a good game, but to test the bounds of its mediocrity and revel in the weirdness.

First things first: character selection. After a spot of debating, I opt to play as telekinetic medium Layla, with my friend Rhys loading in as boy genius Devinder. Neither one of us is expecting a lot from this game, but we quickly settle into its comfortable, predictable routine. Fast travel across the map, fight cultists, stake vampires, and fast travel back to the base – it's all pretty samey. The looter-shooter approach to weapon drops means that I still check each and every pile of ash after dusting a vamp, despite how most of them only offer up wedding rings or pearl necklaces to be sold for profit. The best guns can be looted from Rooks, a type of supercharged vampire that hunts you down after you slay enough "special" bloodsuckers. You know when a Rook Storm is coming because a meter will pop up and warn you that the "vampire gods are watching". It's just as hilarious as it sounds, because what vampire gods are you talking about, Redfall?

The laughs don't stop as we delve further into this odd little town. Surrounded by frozen oceans and populated by wooden NPCs, it proves a delightful place to make fun of. When I look at the ground as Layla, I find I have no actual body. There's a bizarre bug that makes our characters fall down and stand up over and over again whenever we walk around safehouses. We watch in horror as a Bloodbag (the explosive Redfall equivalent of Left4Dead's Boomers) gets essentially milked by a weirdo cultist. Oh, and one of the NPCs gives birth in a hospital and wears her baseball cap the whole time – even while lying down on the gurney. 

It sounds bizarre to say it, but all these little oddities and lingering bugs are what makes Redfall stand out to me at all. The story and characters are extremely forgettable, and the environments risk feeling lazy as a consequence of its own gimmick – there's only so much hazy red skyline I can take. Redfall is technically bland and unimpressive, yes, but that somehow only highlights its unrefined charm.

When played like Call of Duty with vampires, Redfall can be a very good time. As far as multiplayer shenanigans go, I daresay that I actually would recommend playing it in 2024. Going it solo might be a weird choice; even if the enemies' strength and numbers were scaled in line with your party size, I just don't think there's as much fun to be had without someone on the other end of the line to share in all its weirdness. In terms of stability and functionality, two things it lacked at launch, Redfall should be solidly playable now for most of us. It's been a liferaft for me as I wait for the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League server issues to be remedied, and at this rate, I'll likely be one of the rare few to finish it out of choice.

Check out the best FPS games ever for some less contentious options, from Far Cry 3 to Destiny 2.

2023 was a great year to be an Xbox owner, though not without some snags. Early Xbox exclusive Hi-Fi Rush kicked things off in style before Redfall's disappointing launch soured the taste considerably, with many then feeling dubious about other upcoming Bethesda games as a result. It was a relief to see homegrown behemoth Starfield launch to record sales a few months later, followed by more good news for Microsoft when, no matter your feelings on it, the embattled Xbox-Activision deal finally managed to close in October.

That's a lot of movement in one year for Xbox parent company Microsoft. Things are certainly looking brighter for Gaming branch CEO Phil Spencer as we round out 2023, especially when comparing the state of affairs in our 2022 Xbox Year in Review to how they stand today. Sure, Xbox might have "lost the console wars", but it's won plenty of other battles besides – and seems more incentivized than ever to keep that streak going. 

To infinity...

Let's start at the beginning. Teeing off a bumper year for Xbox, January's Hi-Fi Rush made for impressive Game Pass fuel. The largely positive responses to its rock n' roll rhythmic action felt promising as we went into 2023, especially as the first Bethesda game to ship Day One on the Xbox subscription service after Microsoft acquired the studio in 2021. 

That's why Redfall was such a roiling shame. Published by Bethesda and developed by the studio behind Dishonored and Deathloop, how Arkane's vampire-slaying, gun-touting, totally not-a-horde-shooter FPS managed to fall so dramatically short of expectations is something even Phil Spencer could not explain. Like most of us, the Xbox boss was "disappointed" by Redfall in all its buggy, half-baked glory, and promised back in May that efforts would be made to improve things. Subsequent updates might have cleaned it up considerably for the handful of people still playing, but the damage had already been done. The game was critically panned, our own Redfall review deeming it "rushed, unfinished, and unsatisfying". For that reason, it's fair to say that Redfall is an indelible black spot on Xbox's record that sticks out as perhaps its lowest point of the year.

On the plus side, Game Pass is ending 2023 on the up when you look at things numbers-wise. Xbox appears to have done a total 180 on its comparatively slower 2022, as both the Game Pass service and Microsoft's "overall gaming revenue" are up by 13% and 9% respectively (via The Verge) as of this October. Those percentages might not sound massive, but there was one huge culprit behind the service's late-year uptick in subscription numbers.

...and beyond

Enter: Starfield. The interstellar RPG of epic proportions finally launched in September, alongside a slight price increase for Game Pass subscribers. This did nothing to deter people from signing up to play it on day one, though, with over one million concurrent players loading in on release day. It's the first Bethesda Game Studios-developed title to launch on Game Pass as an Xbox exclusive, and with a host of new Bethesda games still on the horizon, it's a strong start.

Bethesda merger aside, acquisitions would go on to be a big deal for Xbox in 2023. The company has bought several developer studios over recent years, but the hot topic was obviously Microsoft's push to purchase Call of Duty publisher Activision. The proposal was unpopular in the eyes of many, most notably with the US Federal Trade Commission, as it pushed back against the acquisition numerous times. Citing exclusivity concerns regarding "financial interests" – in short, that Microsoft might pull games like Call of Duty from rival PS5's game library, drawing players to its own flagship console – emerging headlines sometimes made it sound like Microsoft's bid was going south. 

The two-year long battle ended in success for Xbox when Microsoft succeeded in acquiring Activision in October. Alongside this, Phil Spencer has promised "100 percent parity" for PS5 Call of Duty players going forward. This has been enough to soothe Call of Duty exclusivity worries for now, even though new Bethesda games aren't expected to launch anywhere but Xbox and PC platforms. 

It's been a tumultuous yet impressive 2023 for Xbox, and the coming year promises big things for Series X exclusives – even if we're still awaiting a lot of release dates for the new games in 2024. I'm already looking forward to Playground Games' upcoming Fable remake after witnessing its gloriously crass British humor, as seen in the Xbox Games Showcase trailer this summer. Long-awaited Skyrim sequel Elder Scrolls 6 is reportedly Bethesda's next port-of-call now that Starfield has launched, though fans of the spacey RPG are wondering where their Starfield updates are. I'm also keeping my eyes glued on BioShock Infinite-tinged Clockwork Revolution, Obsidian's Avowed, and the moody gothic folklore of South of Midnight as we pivot into 2024. With so many fantastic upcoming Xbox Series X games in the works, all of the above points to another exciting year ahead for Microsoft Gaming – no pressure or anything, Spencer.

Take a look at our Nintendo Year in Review to see how the Zelda Tears of the Kingdom publisher and its flagship Switch console has fared in 2023.

Marvel's Blade is the latest new game from Deathloop and Dishonored's Arkane Studios, and we're gnashing our fangs for more, despite new updates being few and far between. Officially revealed back in 2023 with a brief teaser trailer, the third-person solo adventure will follow Eric Brooks, the iconic half-man, half-vampire, as he ventures through bloodsucker-infested Paris after dark.

Set to be one of the biggest upcoming Xbox Series games that's also coming to PC, it's been pretty quiet on the Blade front for some time now; however, 2026 may give us some more details soon. It's clear that Arkane is busy bringing the project to life, with a mid-2025 report claiming it had a budget of $109 million, which is still a fraction of the alleged $300 million budget for the likes of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Make of that what you will, but it's still one of the biggest new games we can't wait to see in the coming years, especially as we're still waiting on that new Blade film that's supposedly on the way too.

Here's a complete guide to Marvel's Blade in the meantime to give you a closer look at the upcoming Marvel game, from its development journey to story details, release date speculation, and more.

Marvel's Blade release date speculation

Xbox Game Studios is yet to set a firm Marvel's Blade release date or window. When the team at Arkane Lyon revealed vamp adventure back at The Game Awards 2023, the team said that it was going "silent for a while" as it moved through the next phase of production.

A financial report surfaced in July 2025 that also mentions that the production phase of a AAA game project commenced in 2024 via machine translations. Considering it's now 2026 and we haven't heard any news or seen any new teasers yet, it's unlikely that the game will come out this year after all.

A 2027 release date seems more likely at this point, given the fact that Marvel's Wolverine is also scheduled to release in the fall this year. We doubt that the team will want any superhero clashes after all. However, we could be wrong in our estimate. We'll keep you posted as we await more updates.

Marvel's Blade platforms

Marvel's Blade is coming to PC and Xbox Series X, and will be available from day one through the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service.

It's unclear whether a Marvel's Blade PS5 release is being targeted, although a striking number of titles from the Xbox Game Studios group are shedding Xbox exclusivity right now – the latest is Bethesda's Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, which is now out on PS5 as of April 2025.

Marvel's Blade trailer

The first Marvel's Blade trailer dropped as part of the Game Awards 2023. It's a cinematic affair that essentially gives us a small snapshot of the setting and our first introduction to Blade as a character. It's a mood piece designed to give you a sense of the vibe Arkane is shooting for, and it's exceptionally effective.

We are due for a new trailer soon, so hopefully we'll get a fresh teaser sometime in 2026. Stay tuned for updates!

Marvel's Blade gameplay

Arkane is yet to showcase any of the Marvel's Blade gameplay, although we do have some first details. For starters, this experience will be a strictly single-player affair, with players controlling Blade from a third-person perspective. This is a big shift for the studio, with the best Arkane games typically operating from a first-person angle – Dishonored, Deathloop, and Prey, for example.

Still, even with this big shift in gameplay styles, it's likely that Marvel's Blade will leverage Arkane's immersive sim and snappy combat tendencies – Blade is both a master of stealth and deception, as well as an expert martial artist and competent gunslinger. "As a kid of mixed origins, I felt a special connection to Blade – a hero with a dual heritage himself," said Dinga Bakaba, Game Director, Arkane Lyon. "The opportunity to put our spin on this character is a dream of mine and a challenge that our team embraces with a passion. We couldn’t be happier to put players in Blade’s boots, as he becomes the champion of my hometown of Paris, one stake at a time."

Marvel's Blade story

Marvel's Blade will feature an original story that's more 'mature' in tone that we have come to expect from the best Marvel games released in recent history. Arkane is looking beyond the best Blade stories from the comics for this new adventure, although the studio has confirmed that Eric Brooks is the Daywalker we'll be taking command of.

Speaking to how Arkane is putting its spin on the legendary character, studio art director Sebastien Mitton says: "From his trench coat to his iconic sunglasses, Blade is a slick, stylish, and driven character. This project is the perfect opportunity to push Arkane’s art style into an even more modern and bold territory. The essence of our work lives at the junction of impactful ideas and innovative know-how."

Marvel's Blade setting

The Marvel's Blade setting is confirmed as "the heart of Paris" which is trapped in some sort of vampiric emergency. Little else is known about the setting, although we're expecting that the legendary Daywalker will be navigating a quarantined section of the city as they dance "between the warm society of the living and the rushing power of the undead."

For more future titles, head on over to our lists of all the upcoming Xbox Series X games and new PC games heading our way.

Redfall fans aren't doing so hot following the game's rocky release. 

Arkane's vampire FPS game was released today, May 2, and has received a lot of lackluster reviews - including our own Redfall review, describes the games as "rushed, unfinished, and unsatisfying." It's a similar story if you scroll through the Redfall subreddit, where you'll see a lot of disheartened players.

This has come as a gut punch to fans who've been patiently waiting for Redfall to release ever since it was revealed back in 2021 and eventually delayed. As you can imagine, a lot of players have taken to the game's dedicated subreddit to vent their frustrations. 

This game was definitely not ready to come out from r/redfall

"With all the advertisements and promotions I was expecting a much better game, especially with Arkane behind the game," one Reddit user writes, perhaps unintentionally demonstrating the entire point of marketing campaigns and why you shouldn't pre-order games. 

This also gets at one of the biggest recurring complaints: Redfall doesn't feel like an Arkane game. After all, Arkane Studios is responsible for immersive sim fan-favorites such as Deathloop, Prey, and Dishonored. But as one fan put it: "So sad to see a great developer who gave us games like Prey and Dishonored reduced to this." 

"I'm legitimately dumbfounded. How is this game this bad?" another wrote, listing the issues they've encountered playing the game on Xbox Series X - specifically the problems it has with framerates. "I have been super excited since the announcement trailer," the same user continues, "this is unacceptable and I am incredibly disappointed."

Redfall players have been airing frustrations with the game's graphics, AI, core gameplay, lack of matchmaking, and the price you're expected to pay for the game in its current state. Right now, Arkane parent company ZeniMax is charging $70 for Redfall, and this has not gone down well with fans who pre-ordered the game and weren't prepared for how it would play upon release. 

The future is looking a little bleak as after Redfall's disappointing launch, some fans are worried about Starfield.

Redfall is not the game I expected it to be. What I hoped for was a multiplayer game injected with Arkane's single-player prowess, with a touch of viscera, a hint of blood, and lots and lots of teeth. After all, this is the studio that brought us the dark and brilliant Dishonored series, the sci-fi intellect of Prey, and the detective thriller of Deathloop. I wanted this to be Arkane's take on vampires, and while they are cool blood-suckers, it's a disappointment, and there's not much here that would make you think the same Arkane is involved.

For a studio so renowned for making titles unlike other games, Redfall is surprisingly familiar. It's essentially a squad-based shooter, more akin to something like Back 4 Blood or even The Division 2 in terms of mission structure and the way it handles multiplayer progression (albeit with some odd quirks). You start at a base, with main quests chosen from a mission board. They're linear and mostly revolve around heading out to a location to pick up an item, interact with something, or take down a named vampire - which are essentially just stronger versions of the standard vamps you'll find roaming the streets. 

There are some side quests that can be found by exploring or speaking to people in your base, but sadly they're basically shorter versions of similar ideas. Even the Safe Houses, which can be found and unlocked in each district of the map, repeat themselves almost immediately. Each needs a generator to be found and turned on to be unlocked, and then subsequently provide one mission from a small pool of repeating options and a surprisingly underpowered sub-boss to defeat. 

Sucker

What that means is Redfall quickly becomes formulaic. You know what's involved in each mission regardless of the narrative wrapper it might have. There are always going to be vampires to be staked, something to be blown up, keys to be found, or items to be collected - it's just a case of which version of the mission structure it'll be. There are two or three really good missions that add some complexity to the structure, and some cool details involving the headline vampires, but whether enough players will get through the dredge to get to them will be an interesting test. 

There are four playable characters to choose from: the telekinetic Layla, robotics specialist Remi, inventor Devinder, and long-range marksman Jacob. While all four present interesting and diverse backstories and powers, once you've picked one you can't switch to another without starting the entire game over again. Don't like the character you've chosen? Well, tough basically - unless you fancy repeating all the missions you've already done. So while it's very much a squad-based shooter in terms of structure, it managed to leave out the character-switching fun that you'd find in something like Back 4 Blood or Dead by Daylight. 

It's a shame because the gameplay is good. Gunplay is satisfying and figuring out how to best wield all three of your characters' powers both in combat and traversal is great. You collect weapons and new gear throughout, and although, weirdly, there's no way to upgrade what you already have, there's a satisfying grind to proceedings. 

However, the narrative it's all packaged with is oddly lifeless in its presentation. It's something that comes as quite a shock compared to Arkane's other games. For each core story mission, you'll get a kind of cutscene intro, but rather than a visual set piece they play out like someone put the Ken Burns effect on some concept art. You get story beats through memory flash-backs, which involve watching blue silhouettes replay a key moment from before the vampires took over. Again, it's super passive, and underplays whatever interesting narrative is buried within them. Characters you meet in the bases also feel painfully underdeveloped, with the majority of your "chats" with them being a single grunt, sigh, or simple hello. I've never met such apathetic NPCs or lacklustre cutscenes, and it makes everything feel like a rush job. 

Friends and fangs

There are also oddities around the way Redfall handles co-op. It's not drop-in for starters, so unless you pick the 'host game' option at the title screen you'll have to back out to the menu if you want to play with pals. It's bizarrely structured too, as only the host will get story progression, meaning anyone else will have to replay all quests. Other players will get everything else, like XP and weapons, but there isn't much in the way of replayability. Main missions or Safe House missions can't be replayed either, leaving the Vampire Nests as the only thing readily available for repeat long-term play. These short, linear side quests dungeons see you work through randomly generated areas to reach a 'heart' you need to destroy in return for loot. However, the more you take on the more you'll realize they're pulling from a limited pool of randomisation, so again it becomes a case of how many repetitions you can endure before giving up on them entirely. It's basically pointless to play co-op, because there's simply not enough to enjoy together, and too little reward for doing so. 

There are hints of multiplayer opportunity though, from co-op-focused skills to the fact that the more you play with friends the more you build trust between characters. They'll slowly talk to each other more, getting to know one another the longer you play, and raising that trust level also unlocks other perks too. That should make for a compelling long term co-op experience, but it's just not what Redfall's structure allows. 

What is very Arkane about Redfall though is that its world is dense and regularly gorgeous. It's not a huge game, coming in at around 20 hours in terms of a single playthrough, but what's there is compelling and intriguing to visit. Arkane's clearly taken time to make sure every area feels distinct, with historic spots to take in as you take out yet another vampire. It's reminiscent of Deathloop's Blackreef in design and visual interest but it's just a shame there really isn't much to make you need to explore more than the story requires - even if you might want to. 

Unfortunately, Redfall is currently also pretty buggy. Fast travel doesn't always work, human enemies regularly just stop animating or being responsive to your presence, and vampires can teleport directly into the scenery and get stuck there. Textures can be inconsistent, and even on running at Ultra on PC, there's persistent pop-in. Plus, on Xbox Series X/S it's launching without a 60fps mode, which results in combat feeling a bit odd and jagged. 

Redfall is ultimately not up to Arkane's usual standards. It feels rushed, unfinished, and unsatisfying to play. Single-player is hampered by a squad-based open-world shooter structure, multiplayer held back by odd decisions, and decent gunplay is marred by uninspiring mission structures. It's a confusing game, full of contradictions, and the result is unfulfilling.

Redfall was reviewed on PC (Intel Core i9-9900K, 32GB RAM, Nvidia RTX 3080) and Xbox Series X. 

Redfall director and Arkane boss Harvey Smith is used to living under Bethesda's shadow, although he says getting to work with bigger studios is "a gift."

Talking to PCGN, Smith detailed his experience releasing games under Arkane only to have Bethesda drop another opus in the same general timeframe.

"It's been fifteen years, and you could say in that whole time that I've been in the shadow of [Bethesda Game Studios]," he said. "We release a great game like Dishonored, they release f**king Skyrim, it's the biggest thing in history. We released Dishonored 2 – the best game I've ever made – and they do some huge Fallout thing."

Despite his obvious and seemingly playful frustration, Smith said Arkane is "very proud of what we do" and that he enjoys getting to pal around with studios the likes of "id Software, Shinji Mikami [of Tango Gameworks], and Todd Howard, it's strong all round and we learn from them."

Specifically, he said he isn't worried about the potential of Bethesda's Starfield overshadowing Redfall, as he rightfully pointed out that the two projects are very different in terms of, well, everything.

"Starfield is going to be a really big deal, and it's going to make people happy for many years going forward, but it's a very different thing [from Redfall]. There's some overlap between the audiences but not entirely, and we definitely have a different tone – but I like that [Bethesda Game Studios] exists and I'm going to play a lot of Starfield."

Smith also spoke frankly about why Arkane existing under the same umbrella as the Starfield creator is purely a benefit, as it "takes a lot of the pressure off," which definitely makes sense. If you're an Xbox studio sharing the spotlight with Starfield - arguably 2023's most anticipated title - well, you wouldn't be sharing the spotlight so much as basking in its glow.

In case you missed it, Smith recently revealed that Redfall was originally in development for PS5 but was canceled after Xbox acquired Arkane, and Microsoft responded by saying it "hasn't pulled any games from PlayStation."

Microsoft says it "hasn't pulled any games from PlayStation," shortly after Arkane's Harvey Smith revealed that a Redfall PS5 version was in development before Xbox purchased the studio and canceled it.

In case you missed it, Smith said recently that Redfall was originally in development for PS5 alongside Xbox Series X/S and PC, but that the PlayStation version was canceled as Microsoft was keen on "focusing on Xbox, PC, and the Game Pass."

Now, in an impressively vague non-statement shared to GameSpot, Microsoft has responded to Smith's words without directly refuting them.

"We haven't pulled any games from PlayStation. In fact, we've expanded our footprint of games that we've shipped on Sony's PlayStation since our acquisition of ZeniMax, and the first two games we shipped after closing were PlayStation 5 exclusives," said a Microsoft spokesperson, referring to Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo. 

The spokesperson goes on to point out that Minecraft, which Xbox owns, has expanded to other platforms and that "all of the games that were available on PlayStation when we acquired ZeniMax in March 2021 are still available on PlayStation, and we have continued to do content updates on PlayStation and PC."

That's true, but the statement skirts around the topic of ditching plans for a PlayStation release before the game's launch, which seems to be what happened with Redfall. Of course, Xbox has been clear from the beginning that its Bethesda buyout was "about delivering great exclusive games on platforms where Game Pass exists," so it shouldn't come as a huge surprise that one of its first orders of business was to take Redfall from PS5. After all, there was once a time when Starfield might've launched on PS5, but that's very much not the case anymore.

"We have always said that future decisions on whether to distribute ZeniMax games for other consoles will be made on a case-by-case basis," the spokesperson added.

Check out our in-depth hands-on preview to learn how Redfall puts Arkane storytelling and design in Far Cry's open world.

Arkane's open-world shooter Redfall is one of the most promising titles making its way to Xbox Series X this year, but the recent revelation that the game requires "a persistent online connection" even in single-player has blindsided fans, and many have decided to forgo buying it as a result.

Over on the Redfall subreddit, one user writes, "Oh booo. Well there goes my plan for buying it". Another says, "Was going to buy it. Not buying anymore," and a third comments, "I'm out. Will never support always-online single player."

The decision to make Redfall an always-online title is particularly surprising to players considering Bethesda's assurances that while the emphasis may be on co-op, it will satisfy fans of Arkane's single-player offerings like Dishonored and Deathloop. Moreover, its slight advantages are far overshadowed by the significant drawbacks. For some, it means not being able to enjoy the game by themselves if the servers happen to go down, while for those without access to the internet or with an unreliable connection, it's unplayable.

Baffled by the move, user MrDubTee says, "Personally, I hate this". They add, "As someone who loves playing solo experiences, what is the justification for requiring this? I understand there may be loot mechanics etc., but can we just get a solid game that doesn't require this." While on a separate Reddit post user, Dantegram asks, "What happens in 10 years when the servers shut down? Or if my internet goes out? I was super hyped for it, but this just killed any excitement."

The feeling over on Twitter is much the same, "I'm not buying Redfall anymore," says @GenePark. "This is where Game Pass will be useful since I can still check it out. But always online for single player translates to me as a no purchase."

Redfall is due to release in just a few months' time, on May 2. The launch date was unveiled during the recent Xbox Developer Direct broadcast alongside fresh gameplay footage showcasing new locations, enemies, and abilities.

Don't miss out on the best titles coming to Microsoft's new-gen console with our guide to upcoming Xbox Series X games.

The best Marvel games are a celebration of 80 years of excellence in video game herodom. Developers have been creating games with the best Marvel characters for some time now, but there are some titles that rise above the others. Whether you're looking for the best superhero games generally or more specifically, the best Spider-Man games, there's something for everyone here. There's even more to look forward to in the future, with Marvel's Blade and Marvel's Wolverine currently in development from Arkane Studios and Insomniac, respectively.

Following the release of Marvel Rivals, we have slotted the newest internet craze into our ranking of the best Marvel games. This is just the start of a possible shake-up with our list of the greatest Marvel titles as well. Naturally, there are still plenty of other upcoming Marvel games on the horizon, so you may see some more movement throughout the year with our rankings or want to jump into some of these classics before it's too late. Whatever your gaming need, though, we've got your back. Here are the best Marvel games of all time if you're looking to revisit an old favorite or want to tackle something from your backlog.

The best Marvel games ever, starting with...

10. Marvel Rivals

Developer: NetEase Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

In 2024, gamers were graced with Marvel's solution to PVP shooters like Overwatch. If you've somehow missed the viral sensation that is Marvel Rivals, well, now's a great time to jump into this fun and competitive masterpiece. Choose to play as a variety of heroes or villains from the multiverse as you take part in fast-paced 6v6 matches. Although we weren't fans of this game initially, constant updates have really made it shine in the months following its launch. It's also the most popular pick on this list by far if you're after multiplayer titles, so if you're looking for online fun, this is the choice for you. And if you want to learn more before you pick it up, you can also read our Marvel Rivals review.

9. Spider-Man 2

Developer: Treyarch
Platform(s): PS2

Heralded as the first superhero game to feature open-world exploration, 2004's Spider-Man 2 is one of the best Marvel games when it comes to sheer innovation of the genre. Web-slinging Peter Parker battles foes, rescues his beloved Mary Jane, and does it all whilst taking in the beautiful views of New York City. Although it's still playable on a range of consoles and devices, we're talking about the PS2 version here, coming out head and shoulders above versions released on other platforms. The Spider-Man 2 for PS2 holds up very well, even by today's standards.

8. Marvel Snap 

Developer: Second Dinner
Platform(s): Android, iOS, PC

As far as digital card games go, Marvel Snap scores highly when it comes to aesthetics. Building your deck requires some grinding, but it makes it all the more worthwhile when you get an especially juicy draw during a random card selection. The game is easy to drop into casually, making it ideal for us to play on mobile. Marvel Snap also supports cross-progression, so you can play it on PC without losing your collection across platforms. And, as we point out in our Marvel Snap review, it's also accessible, simple, and offers a unique way to engage with the MCU; it is definitely one of the best Marvel games to play right now.

7. The Punisher

Developer: Volition
Platform(s): PS2, Xbox, PC

Vengeance is sweet – and if you're playing The Punisher, very bloody. Easily one of the best Marvel games, this gleefully violent title emerged hot on the heels of its cinematic counterpart and pulls absolutely no punches to this day. Put in the shoes of US Marine-turned-vigilante Frank Castle, your mission is to dispose of your foes as quickly and painfully as possible. The Punisher sports an ever-creative arsenal of ways to enact swift justice upon his countless enemies, so dust off your old Xbox and keep those reflexes sharp if you're in the mood for some gruesome kills.

6. Marvel's Midnight Suns

Developer: Firaxis Games
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S, PS5

Marvel's Midnight Suns puts a different spin on the superhero genre, combining the best of tabletop RPGs and action-adventure gaming. You play as The Hunter, a brand new and fully-customizable character that was created especially for Midnight Suns. There seems to be something for everyone here, with character interactions and side-quests aplenty for us completionists as well as card-based combat sequences, ensuring no two battles are the same. All in all, Marvel's Midnight Suns is a solid RPG with a tightly-hewn story and just the right amount of in-game nuance. Just try not to get sidetracked by all those collectibles. For more information, you can read our Marvel's Midnight Suns review as well!

5. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 

Developer: Capcom
Platform(s:) PS3, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PC

What do you get when you cross Jill Valentine with Doctor Strange? Something a little more than a simple Jill sandwich, as it so happens. Although it's not strictly Marvel, beat-'em-up crossover Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 deserves a top place amongst the best Marvel games because it's just so much fun to play. You won't find any meaningful storylines or expansive open worlds here, but what you will find is a bizarre forum to test out some of your wackiest gaming conspiracies. Would Nemesis turn Tony Stark into a metallic pulp? How would Wesker fare against scheming Rocket the Raccoon? Time to find out.

4. Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy

Developer: Eidos Montreal
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is one of the best single-player games out there right now. And in our Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy review, we even point out how it may be better than the movies themselves. It's a generous adventure, constantly pushing one outrageous scenario at you after the other. Eidos Montreal delivered a big celebration of the best Guardians of the Galaxy stories, although you don't need any experience with the team to enjoy the carnage. Come for the high-octane combat, stay for the opportunity to just sit and shoot the breeze with the Guardians.

3. Marvel's Spider-Man 

Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform(s): PS5, PS4, PC

2018's Marvel's Spider-Man is widely regarded as one of the best Spider-Man games for good reason. Playing as the teenage superhero, you'll be swooping between high rises to battle foes high above the bustling streets of New York City, using the vast array of gadgets at your disposal. The game's expansive open-world format offers breathtaking views of this fictional imagining of Manhattan, offering moments of tranquility between all the rooftop brawling. There are elements of stealth gameplay here for those who prefer the quick and quiet approach; however, making Marvel's Spider-Man a standout title for any Spidey fanatic. Check out our Marvel's Spider-Man review for more details.

2. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales 

Developer: Insomniac Games
Platforms: PS4, PS5, PC

It might be billed as a Spider-Man spin-off, but Miles Morales' story is a lot more than that, and our glowing Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales review can attest to that. The setting of snow-capped Manhattan provides newfound grit and atmospheric presence compared to the first game, with the storyline riffing off the characters as seen in the MCU's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018). The in-game mechanics and combat features are almost the same as Marvel's Spider-Man, except vastly improved, this time featuring Miles-specific special abilities to give you an edge over your enemies.

1. Marvel's Spider-Man 2

Developer: Insomniac Games
Platform(s): PS5, PC

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 is undoubtedly the best Marvel game out right now. Insomniac Games has delivered a love letter to some of the best Spider-Man stories in this expansive sequel, bringing in some of Peter Parker and Miles Morales' best villains for a wild fight all across the five boroughs of New York. It's fast and fluid, smartly expanding on the best elements of the previous two games. Spider-Man 2 is one of the best PS5 games as a result, and a must-play for any Spidey fan. If you want to know more about our top pick, you can read our Marvel's Spider-Man 2 review!

For more picks, check out our list of all the new games heading our way. Or dive into DC with our ranking of the best Batman games of all time.

Dishonored and Prey studio Arkane is diving back into co-op with its upcoming open-world shooter Redfall, and in a new exclusive interview with GamesRadar+ – as part of our Big in 2023: Redfall deep dive – the developers discuss the classic multiplayer games that inspired them.

Redfall isn't Arkane's first foray into cooperative multiplayer, with 2019's Wolfenstein: Young Blood being the most recent example. The studio's 2021 first-person shooter Deathloop has a multiplayer element, but it's more akin to Elden Ring's where players can spontaneously invade other players' games. With Redfall, the developers were inspired by games they've been playing together for many years.

"I can remember, as far back as working on Deus Ex – us as a group playing Diablo together, and then through the years then playing Diablo 2 together and then playing, you know, Borderlands and there's just all these games that are super fun to play co-op, that when we're not working on our kind of game we're like playing these kinds of games together as friends," said co-creative director Ricardo Bare. "And we were like, 'How can we have our peanut butter and chocolate together? Like, can we make the kind of games that we like, but somehow play them together?"

As for studio director Harvey Smith, there's only one game that came to mind when he was asked about Redfall's co-op inspirations: Dungeons & Dragons.  

"I live in constant fear that people are going to figure out that we're just D&D players who think video games could be cooler and deeper," said Smith. "D&D is the best co-op game of all time, and I think people would be shocked if they knew how much we have all played D&D together as a group, from Origin Systems to ION Storm to Arkane. I am currently in three different D&D campaigns, and I still play with Ricardo on Monday nights."

All throughout January, GamesRadar+ is exploring the most anticipated games of the year. For more, be sure to visit our Big in 2023 coverage hub.

Few video game developers have as clear a creative mandate as Arkane. The studio has become synonymous with deep world creation and smart environmental storytelling, and for the intentional emergence that erupts as simple rulesets clash against complex combat and movement systems. Even as the studio weaves so deftly between genres and styles – from Arx Fatalis to Dishonored, Prey to Deathloop – these threads of commonality bind the best Arkane games togehter. What then of Redfall, the cooperative shooter that sees a squad of mischievous vampire hunters work to exterminate an infestation of bloodsuckers from a small coastal town in Massachusetts?

Redfall isn't special because it is bound by those same threads, woven so tightly with arcane magic – it is special because it is willing to loosen them. "It's certainly true that if you work on the same thing for long enough you eventually want to clear your head and stretch a little," says Arkane studio director Harvey Smith. "Maybe we stretched too much this time – we probably should have picked either an open world or cooperative multiplayer. But if Redfall comes together at the quality level we think it will, then it will be a different beast. It's really tremendous; it does a lot of cool stuff." 

Welcome to Redfall, Massachusetts

Redfall isn't the video game that you think it is. Following its reveal, the Xbox Series X exclusive has drawn comparisons to the Left 4 Deads of this world. Great games, concedes Arkane creative director Ricardo Bare, but not exactly what the studio is shooting for. "It's totally understandable for somebody to come to that conclusion. There are four playable characters, you can play together cooperatively, and you're going against the undead. But, in terms of the way that you play and experience Redfall, it's not like those games at all. Redfall is more like loading into Far Cry." 

When you think of Far Cry, your mind is likely flooded with images of exotic landscapes and faraway paradises. Redfall is embracing more familiar territory, what Smith lovingly describes as a "crappy tourist town" in New England. Creepy cornfields and abandoned fairgrounds, dilapidated houses and cold seaside boardwalks, and plenty of bars and restaurants held in ill repute by the locals. Well, they were, until most were driven away by the invading vampires, the cultists who worship them, and Bellwether Security; a shady private military company looking for nothing but trouble. 

"When we started on Redfall, we wanted to tackle a familiar location for once," laughs Smith, speaking to Arkane's propensity for building elaborate destinations. Dunwall, an industrial whaling city overrun with plague rats; Talos I, an alt-history space station with an alien ecology; and Blackreef, an island cursed to time loop through the swinging sixties. "We wanted to take a familiar setting and go deep on it. Redfall island should be a place where, after hours of exploration, you feel like you know it the way you know Talos or Dunwall. When I say we wanted to stretch, that's what I mean: What if we took all of our experience – and our creative values – and put it into an open world?"

That world is where Redfall really diverges from any lingering horde shooter comparisons. Those genre games have a familiar rhythm: load into linear missions with friends, and fight waves of enemies until the end. Redfall has a broader objective, affording you the freedom to linger (or fight) at your leisure. Defining the shape of your adventure is all part of the appeal. "You're in a big-ass open world," enthuses Bare. "We have a home base where you can talk to NPCs and get side-quests. You can go to the mission table and pick up story-driven missions. Or you can not give a shit about any of that and just head outside; pick a direction, start hauling ass, and run into the living-world stuff that we have going on."

By Arkane's standards, the description of a "big-ass open world" is accurate – Redfall is an unfathomably larger space than Prey's Talos I. But by modern open-world standards, the titular island will likely be quaint by comparison. There's an appeal in that too, with a denser playspace allowing Arkane to flex its talent for emergent narrative design. "I think we will eventually go back to the very sealed immersive sim-like environments," Smith considers. "But just once we wanted to know what it would be like to wander an Arkane open world and see where each little road will take you." 

"You'll want to see if you can get into a barn you found, climb a fire lookout tower that you spotted in the distance, or try and get into a house to read all the notes scattered inside," Smith continues, explaining that you'll still have the freedom to approach missions, areas, and in-world locations with the same curiosity and ingenuity as you could in Dishonored or Prey. "Some of Redfall's most powerful moments come from wandering around, absorbing the world, and getting caught up in high action for a moment. That was the atmosphere we set out to create from the beginning."

If there's a negative to be drawn from a Far Cry comparison, it's one of scale. Ubisoft's open worlds have become debilitatingly large, and I'll cop to feeling some sense of hesitation before launching into a new one these days. But there's a key distinction in Redfall's design which calmed my nerves: there are no vehicles. "In terms of freedom, there's what you would expect from other open worlds, but Redfall is an on-foot game – the scale and the pace is a little slowed down in that respect," says Bare. "We want you creeping through a cornfield at night in the fog, hearing vampires whisper in the dark. Maybe you'll spot a farmhouse in the distance and sneak over to it, only to find that it's full of cultists and a few trapped survivors who you can save. That's the kind of vibe that Redfall has."

These examples barely scratch the surface of what you'll find in Redfall's world, which is divided into two distinct districts – one is a sprawling urban area, and the other more rural in design. There are neighborhoods held hostage by vampires; liberating these parts of the town for the people will open up Safe Houses, and make it more comfortable for the citizens who couldn't escape before the island was cut off from civilization. You'll encounter survivors who may ask you for a favor or two, with the opportunity to level up or earn new gear waiting as a reward. Nests can emerge in a shared psychic-space, should a group of vampires fall into a Blood Trance. Storms form gradually over time, signaling the arrival of powerful Vampire Gods called Rooks. Bellwether Security squads patrol the island, and cultists set up roadblocks to bottleneck any who remain committed to the land of the living. And then there's the story campaign that underpins the adventure, which follows the fallout of a scientific longevity experiment gone exceptionally wrong. 

Many of these aspects of Redfall aren't predefined activities, but part of the simulated space. "Redfall sometimes feels like what you'd get if you blended the Arkane creative values with Far Cry 2 or S.T.A.L.K.E.R.," Smith continues. "That's the kind of thing that we have wanted to do for a long time." You may find instances of combat, story vignettes, or countless chaotic results as Arkane's systems clash together. One part of this complex puzzle is the day-night cycle, which remains despite a powerful Vampire God – the Black Sun – having established a local Eclipse. "The sun sets and the sun rises, and we have different times of the day," says Smith. "It changes the feel of the game radically."

Smith doesn't mean from a purely visual aesthetic either, with the time impacting everything from how viable stealth is before combat erupts to how the various factions appear in the world. Vampires may spawn during the day, but remain dormant, becoming active at nightfall. Bellwether Security may up their patrols before the cultists come out in force to greet the shadow walkers. Sometimes all three of these factions will be caught at war, with your squad acting as casual bystanders to the carnage of competing interests. Smith says: "You may start a mission at high noon and get distracted along the way. By the time you reach the objective, it may be nighttime with different enemy spawns. Every slight difference pushes you, naturally, to take a different approach." 

Become a better vampire slayer

Freedom has always been a core aspect of Arkane games. Smith admits that the introduction of multiplayer "costs you some things" due to the game needing to "register an event, communicate it to the server, deliver it out to the other players." But that isn't to say that Redfall will be any less of an Arkane game because of this creative decision. If anything, fans of Dishonored and Prey should relish the opportunity to see how aspects like advancing RPG powers, immersive movement and shooting, fluid sliding and climbing can combine in a more ambitious design scenario. "What you get in exchange is tremendous," says Smith. "When four people sit down to play through Redfall together, and they are synergizing their powers, aiding each other, and kicking off emergent events it brings tremendous value."

Cooperation is optional. You can slay alone or squad up, with Redfall seamlessly blending single-player and multiplayer options – not all that dissimilar to the Borderlands games. And the comparisons to Gearbox's co-op shooter don't end there. At the beginning of Redfall, you'll be able to choose between one of four characters: Devinder Crousley, the verified cryptid hunter; Layla Ellison, the telekinetic threat in student debt; Jacob Boyer, the deadeye with an undead eye; and Remi De La Rosa, the ingenious engineer. Once you start the campaign, your character selection is locked in for the duration of the game – if you choose to play solo, you'll do so without the other three heroes around you. 

In co-op, there is no restriction on multiples of the same vampire hunter joining one party, although Smith says that there are benefits to having a well-rounded group outside of the variety it will bring to combat. "We have a very dynamic dialogue system where, depending on what heroes you put together in combination, they will talk to each other and get to know one another. And we have a mechanical system where the longer the heroes play together, the more intimate their dialogue lines become and, eventually, they'll get a game mechanic buff called the 'Trust Buff.'"

Regardless of how you choose to play this drop-in, drop-out experience, Arkane is keen to emphasize that flexibility is at the heart of Redfall. The game will support stealth combat and all-guns blazing approaches, and everything in between as you cycle through a massive arsenal of weapons and as the unique powers inherent to each of the heroes begin to combine. "While it is true that this is more of a shooter than anything else we've ever worked on," Bare considers, "a lot of the fun comes from each of the heroes' powers. Whether you are synergizing Remy and Jacob together or even if just playing by yourself – using the powers, combining them, and upgrading your character is a lot of fun."

Even with a renewed focus on advancing supernatural powers, Arkane knew it had to get the gunplay right. "There's a certain level of work you have to put into a shooter to just reach the minimum bar, because you'll inevitably get compared to all the other shooters out there if your guns don't feel good," says Bare, who notes that the studio hired in FPS experts at the outset of production, and even looked to the broader Bethesda network for assistance. "We got insight from some of our sister studios; the people who worked on Doom came over and gave us feedback a couple of times, things like that, and we're pretty happy with the results."

"We have the usual array of weapons like assault rifles and shit like that, many of which are jury-rigged by the locals because they've been cut off," Smith adds, who notes that standard guns are equipped with random modifiers when you find them. But the real draw to Redfall's FPS combat is the special vampire-hunting weapons. "Your weapons can have stakes on the end – if the vampires are vulnerable, the only way to truly kill them is to stake them otherwise they regenerate. There are flare guns, UV beams, and even stake launchers – which use found ammo like broken-off pool cues and fireplace pokers." Bare adds: "You know, the kind of weapons you would want if you were having to kill vampires."

You won't hold onto weapons for long though. Smith and Bare are keen to emphasize that part of the RPG economy of Redfall involves "looking at the traits of each weapon you find and deciding if it's what you really want." Smith uses the example of two shotguns he stumbled across in the wild: one a double-barrelled menace that has a greater chance to set hazards on fire, and the other that offers more long-range viability and a percentage chance to fire off a UV flash to petrify vampires within a 10-foot radius. 

It's all about defining your playstyle. Scrapping guns when you out-level them, and picking weapons which complement your chosen path through the skill trees – each hero has four available, grouping specific character traits and more general utility options like health recovery or increased storage for ammunition and lockpicks. "It's all a part of a dynamic combat system that we have going on. Knowing when to use one gun versus another, and knowing when to switch to one of the vampire hunter guns is all relevant to the experience," says Smith. 

The power of Game Pass

Redfall is a different type of game for Arkane. That much is clear from the open world, the cooperative design, and the enhanced focus on gunplay. But underpinning every design decision are the studio's creative values, and its instinctual lean towards creating immersive, simulated spaces. But there's added pressure this time around, owing in part to a certain subscription service. "I feel like with Xbox Game Pass, the potential is here for us to say: This is Arkane, and these are our creative values – we can expose a lot of people to the way that we make games. I hope we can turn people onto what we do: Deep world creation, environmental storytelling, the emergent results of combat and your powers, and creating lovingly crafted worlds with a real sense of history and character." 

"The pool that Game Pass offers is huge for us. It's kind of shocking, and scary in a way. Like, how many people are going to play Redfall in the first week? What if it's a lot more than we anticipated… we're going to get a lot of feedback very quickly, and a lot of people will see what we've spent the last few years on. Redfall is our pandemic game, man. It's easy to forget now, but there were dark days during the pandemic. People on my team were sitting at home alone, losing their minds because we didn't have vaccines yet, and nobody was sure what it meant for their kids and for the economy. The team carried each other through it all; Zenimax, Bethesda, and Microsoft were very good to us during that difficult time. Now that we're on the other side of it, the last thing I got to do here is ship Redfall."

Redfall is one of the most anticipated upcoming Xbox Series X games and upcoming PC games of 2023. Arkane is yet to set a Redfall release date, although the game is expected to launch in the first half of the year. 

The Xbox Series X will be Big in 2023. After a relatively quiet 2022, the list of upcoming Xbox Series X games for the new year is astoundingly broad, making it difficult to know which titles will likely define the conversation around the system throughout the year. That's why we wanted to spotlight five Xbox Series X exclusives that we believe that you should have on your radar. Each of these are new games for 2023 that we've been keeping a close eye on, and while many can also be considered upcoming PC games – thanks to Microsoft's borderless approach to production – Xbox is the only console where you'll be able to play this exciting lineup of must-see Xbox exclusives for 2023. 

Starfield

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Release date: Spring 2023

Starfield will be the system seller the Xbox Series X and Xbox Game Pass needs in 2023. Developer Bethesda Game Studios is best known as the steward of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout franchises, but with this spacefaring RPG the team will deliver its first entirely new IP in 25 years. Starfield is set to let you define your own adventure between the stars, where you'll be able to create your own character, define their personality, and travel a galaxy comprising over 1000 explorable planets. Between the in-depth crafting and customization systems, the emphasis on dialogue and persuasion alongside considered first-person combat, and the ability to outfit your very own starship, this looks every bit a dream RPG for fans of science fiction. Starfield was supposed to launch as an Xbox Series X platform exclusive on November 11, 2022, but a delay pushed the game to the first half of 2023. 

Redfall

Developer: Arkane Studios
Release date: Spring 2023

Arkane Studios earned a reputation for building some of the finest action games of the past three generation cycles through Dishonored, Dishonored 2, Prey, and Deathloop. Now the team is turning its attention towards a new type of experience with Redfall, a cooperative shooter which will let you join up with three friends and hunt vampires in a contained open-world coastal town in Massachusetts. Yet, despite the differences to the immersive sims Arkane is best known for creating, the studio's DNA can be found all throughout Redfall – from the suite of audacious weapons and supernatural powers at your disposal, to a sharp focus on intertwining levels and environmental storytelling. Redfall is scheduled to launch in the first half of the year and, whether you're coming to it via Game Pass or the storefront, it's all-but set to be a defining Xbox Series X game for 2023. 

• Learn how Redfall is Arkane's love letter to Far Cry, Stalker, and Borderlands in our exclusive Big in 2023: Redfall feature. 

Forza Motorsport

Developer: Turn 10 Studios
Release date: Spring 2023

It's funny to think that we used to receive new Forza Motorsport games every two years; that changed in the Xbox One era, and it's now been over five years since the release of Forza Motorsport 7. Thankfully, Turn 10 Studios is making its long-awaited return in Spring 2023 with an experience that is designed to take full advantage of the power and performance of the Xbox Series X. For Forza Motorsport, Turn 10 has focused its resources on creating a more detailed simulation engine to deliver a more realistic driving experience. With improved car physics and weighting comes a greater focus on damage modeling too, while the introduction of ray-tracing will ensure that every blemish on your bodywork is clear for all to see. Forza Motorsport is destined to be the system showcase that the Xbox Series X is in desperate need of, with all signs pointing to this being among the best looking and performing titles on the platform.

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl 

Developer: GSC Game World
Release date: 2023

The legendary S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series has long been confined to the realms of PC gaming, but this year Xbox Series X owners will get a chance to see what all the fuss is about. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl is back in active development after GSC Game World was forced to halt production as a result of the ongoing invasion of Ukraine, with the shooter now scheduled to release in 2023. It'll be worth the wait too. Everything we have seen of Stalker 2 continues to impress – from the reactive enemy and mutant AI to the stunning borderless open-world, and the awe-inspiring anomalies cast out across it. Expect a heady blend of challenging FPS action, light survival mechanics, and immersive sim sensibilities to all be present and accounted for in Stalker 2; GSC Game World wants to make the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone truly inhospitable, and we can't wait to dive back into it after so many years away. 

Planet Of Lana

Developer: Wishfully
Release date: TBC 2023

Planet of Lana is one of those video games where, once you see it in action, you immediately feel the impulse to dive headfirst into its world and waste away the hours exploring its mysteries. Developer Wishfully is billing this Xbox console exclusive as an "off-earth odyssey" but it's perhaps best described as a love letter to Limbo and Inside with a gorgeous Studio Ghibli-style visual design. This cinematic puzzle adventure is scheduled to launch Spring 2023 and we're already counting down the days, especially after discovering that The Last Guardian composer Takeshi Furukawa will be handling the score. We've been impressed by everything we have played of Planet Of Lana so far, with the adventure offering a nice blend of quiet exploration, logic-based puzzles, and action sequences that'll test your reflexes. Planet of Lana will be available through Xbox Game Pass on day one too, so you've no excuse for not jumping into this awe-inspiring world.

Big in 2023 is the GamesRadar+ guide to the most anticipated games of the year. Join us all throughout January as we explore the biggest upcoming video games of 2023, and the developers making them.

2026 is offically here and we have some very exciting upcoming Bethesda games to keep track of, with new entries set to come our way for the studio's biggest and beloved RPG series. From a sequel to Skyrim with the next Elder Scrolls, to a new Fallout game, there's a lot here to look forward to - even if we are going to be in for quite the wait.

Last year was a very busy year for Bethesda, with them having a hand in releasing some of the best games of 2025, including Doom: The Dark Ages and the shadow-dropped Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered. We also recently even saw them make it onto the Switch 2 with a new Skyrim Switch 2 Edition hitting Nintendo's latest-gen console. And, finally, Amazon's Fallout season 2 was released, sparking a new wave of Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas remaster rumours with it.

But looking ahead to the future and what has been fully confirmed past the rumour mill, it's great to know the studio is working to bring us follow-ups to some of its best RPGs. So while we wait for even more news and updates, here is a handy guide to keep you updated on the latest at Bethesda. Below, you'll find a helpful recap of everything you need to know about all of the upcoming Bethesda games confirmed so far.

Upcoming Bethesda games currently in development

TBC

Elder Scrolls 6 

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release date: TBC (potentially 2026)
Platform(s): TBC

Over the last decade, Skyrim has enjoyed immense success, with the fantasy RPG finding its way onto almost every platform imaginable over the years. With so much love for Elder Scrolls out there among players, it's no surprise that another installment is in the works. That's right, we are getting The Elder Scrolls 6!

First announced with a short teaser officially confirming its existence with a title reveal in 2018, very little is known about Elder Scrolls 6, as the team's main focus has been on Starfield, which launched back in 2023, and was followed by the Shattered Space expansion. While reports have popped up over the years since the release of the initial 2018 teaser, we've seen not seen much of the game, and we may well be in for quite a wait for the next Elder Scrolls game to arrive yet.

Fallout 5

Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release date: TBC
Platform(s): TBC

As one of the longest-running IPs now owned by Bethesda, another Fallout entry has always been on the cards. In fact, even before it was addressed by Todd Howard, seeing a Fallout 5 someday felt inevitable, given the success of Fallout 4. We don't yet know much about our return to the post-apocalyptic world.

However, we know that Bethesda is working on The Elder Scrolls 6 first, and that it takes them roughly five years to make a new Fallout game. With that in mind, if The Elder Scrolls 6 were to very optimistically release in, say, 2026 (but that seems less likely by the day), we would be, in theory, looking at a 2030 release date for Fallout 5. All that's to say, this one is far out, but it's exciting to know we have a new entry to look forward to. While you wait, you can reflect back with us on the best Fallout games.

Marvel's Blade

Developer: Arkane Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Release date: TBC
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S

Bethesda is on board as the publisher for the upcoming Marvel game, Marvel's Blade. Originally announced in 2023, it's been some time since we had a major update on the project. But despite the lack of news, the game is still very much in the works. Deathloop and Dishonored developer Arkane Studios is leading the charge on the new vampire title, and we'll likely see them venture into new gameplay avenues with Blade.

While we only have a cinematic trailer to go off for now, we expect that Blade's gameplay will be stealth and combat-focused, given the nature of the Marvel Comics' character. After all, Blade is a master martial artist and gunslinger.

Look ahead to future releases with our roundups of all the most exciting upcoming PS5 games and upcoming Switch games on the way. Or check out all the new games for 2026.

As Deathloop finally lands on Xbox Series X and S, so too does the time-manipulating first-person shooter's 'Golden Loop' update – bringing with it a wealth of new abilities, Deathloop weapons, enemies, and, at the request of existing players, a new ending. Not that Deathloop has ever taken itself too seriously since last year's release on PS5 and PC, but with its new additions, there's a tangible sense that developer Arkane has really let its hair down; that with these nips and tucks the studio is having fun. And, as we've come to expect from a team who rarely puts a foot wrong, choice once more underpins everything that it's thrusting into the hands of its players. 

Fugue, for example, is a new Deathloop power that slows and confuses targets, momentarily rendering them harmless. It can be upgraded to turn enemies hostile against one another, and, should said enemy die while infected with Fugue, a further upgrade will cause that enemy to inflict Fugue on their nearby allies too. The Halps Prototype, on the other hand, is an energy cannon whose laser beams are ripe for ricochets and bank shots, in turn adding a new layer of depth to cover and combat. 

"Choice and having fun are such important parts of all the new features we've added," explains Jonathan Foudral, Deathloop senior producer and creative lead on the Golden Loop update. "We're always considering how we support different kinds of playthroughs, and when we add new systems and features, we always need to make sure they work with all the existing ones. With Fugue, it confuses enemies, so you might use it to sneak in behind them, or you might use it in the middle of combat to make them vulnerable. You can choose stealth or create chaos, but we always want it to be fun."

Paint the town red

In motion, combining Fugue's myriad traits to overcome packs of enemies is, indeed, very entertaining – so much so, that I can't think of an ability that highlights the fun in Deathloop's incidental moments better than this one. This is true in most of Arkane's games over the last 10 years, but there are some proper laugh-out-loud moments to be had here, while watching baddies stumbling around drunk, picking fights and watching the Fugue state spread like a virus. Using Fugue in tandem with Nexus – an existing ability that links enemies by body and mind – creates even more carnage, again underscoring the joy derived from your choices and decision-making on the fly.  

Another new feature that plays into Deathloop's scope for experimentation is its 'Paint-Bomber' enemies. Strapped with paint-filled explosives, combat with these guys is a colorful affair, wherein nailing the first hit is essential lest you paint the walls of Blackreef with their paint and your blood. "This enemy type was born from a combination of player feedback, and from some early ideas that didn't make it into the base game," explains senior gameplay programmer, Francesco Venco. "People asked for more variety in encounters, so these enemies definitely change the face of combat quite a bit. I was amazed by the work of the artists here, these enemies are just so gorgeous to see in-game."

Foudral adds: "What's great about the Paint-Bombers is that we sometimes make features that don't work out as good as we expected. Other times, however, it works way, way better than expected. And that's the case here. They can make combat situations so different from before – you're going to want to prioritize killing them as they run towards you; you might use them to hurt other enemies; you can even kill them before they've set up their bombs, meaning you can pick up the bombs and throw them at other enemies. You get these guys in tight spaces, and… wow! In terms of the immersive sim elements of Deathloop, and that degree of open choice, they have some really cool interactions worth exploiting."

Smiles ahead 

Again, Deathloop was hardly rainbows and smiles before the Golden Loop update, but with the likes of  its new Fugue ability, its pinballing Halps Prototype laser cannon, and, of course, its Paint-Bomber baddies, there's a degree of free expression  on the developer's side that would probably have felt out of place in the likes of Dishonored, its sequel, and 2017's Prey. Foudral is pleased that this sense of fun and enjoyment is felt by players, and says the stresses of the pandemic helped bring things into focus for  the team. Speaking specifically to the Paint-Bomber enemy type, he says that while other games have explosive red barrels, Deathloop now has its own mobile version of this. 

Venco adds: "Things like the Paint-Bombers, like Fugue – Deathloop is definitely the right game for us in terms of letting our fantasy ideas run wild. Especially for the artists, I think, but even on the gameplayer programming team, being able to get creative has been great for us, especially during what's been a difficult period for everyone."

Foundral circles back to offering players as many choices in Deathloop's moment-to-moment action as possible, saying that despite having been part of Arkane Lyon's journey since its Dishonored days a decade ago, seeing players push the boundaries of their games in new and exciting ways never ceases to amaze. Laughing, he says: "Seeing players come up with their own ways of playing our games is never not amazing. But, I must say, it's also frustrating simply because we work for years on these games, and we still find players discovering stuff that we haven't. We try to think of every situation and, clearly, we can't. Let's just say that we're always surprised – but we're not surprised by being surprised anymore!"

If you fancy pushing Deathloop to new limits, its Golden Loop update is out now for PS5, Xbox Series X and PC. 

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Bethesda and Arkane have confirmed that Roundhouse Studios is assisting in development on Redfall.

The detail was actually confirmed in a tweet alongside the new gameplay footage from the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase earlier this month, but in the hustle and bustle of not-E3, the info slipped under the radar.

In a new message emailed to fans, co-creative director Harvey Smith says that "the team at Arkane Austin (along with our partners at Roundhouse) are pouring everything we've got into making Redfall the best game it can be, both solo and co-op."

Roundhouse Studios was founded in 2019, though it's actually existed since 1997. As Human Head Studios, the company was probably best known for the 2006 game Prey. But during a legal dispute with publisher Ragnarok Game LLC over Rune II, Human Head shut down, but within days most of the studio's developers were working under Bethesda under the name Roundhouse.

Exactly what Roundhouse has been working on has remained a mystery since then, and Microsoft's buyout of Bethesda (and parent company ZeniMax) did not shed any additional light on what to expect.

We still don't know if Roundhouse is working on anything of its own outside of Redfall. Human Head was working on Prey 2 under Bethesda until it was canceled in 2014. Arkane eventually released a new, well-loved game under the Prey name, but Human Head's Prey 2 remains one of gaming's biggest 'what might have beens'.

For more on every developer under the Xbox Game Studios banner, you can follow that link.

Back when Redfall co-director Harvey Smith worked with the legendary Deus Ex designer Warren Spector, the two would talk about the 'one city block' – a dream game so small in scope that every inch could be made interactive and reactive. On this smattering of streets, every business and hotel would be enterable and stuffed with characters – each living their own stories and governed by complex AI which the player could study and interfere with.

Spector still hasn't had the chance to make good on his design – but Arkane Studios got pretty close with last year's Deathloop. Blackreef Island was made up of four levels, rather than just the one, but easily petit enough for a player to learn the layout of the local library, and the routines of the eight eccentric targets they were hunting. Deathloop was rightly celebrated for its density and detail, qualities that simply wouldn't have been possible across a typical open world sprawl.

Crossing the threshold

All of which makes the official classification of Deathloop's follow-up something of a surprise. Redfall is an 'open world co-op shooter'. It's a phrase that suggests scale, and with scale comes sacrifice. Take Bethesda's Fallout games, for instance. While deeply influenced by the original Deus Ex – in their stealth systems, tactile environments, and individually-tracked limb injuries – they can't possibly offer the many authored player paths you'd find in a typical Arkane level. What the 'one city block' pitch promises above all is designer care and attention; there were parts of Fallout 4, by contrast, that its lead developers had never even seen.

There are hints, however, that the Redfall team at Arkane Austin has taken measures to tighten its field of view. Where Fallout 4 tackled a huge chunk of Massachusetts, Redfall concerns only one 'quaint island town' within the state, a boardwalk retreat cut off from the rest of the world by besieging vampires who have blocked out the sun. It's a conceit that allows the developer to introduce fiction-friendly boundaries to its realm – and so spend more time colouring in the corners. You can be sure that Smith and co-director Ricardo Bare, Deus Ex veterans both, won't easily abandon its design principles – having held to them for decades. Whatever way the studio has found to balance sprawl with specificity, it's clearly happy with the result.

"In signature Arkane style, you will choose your path across the island and through the vampire masses," Bethesda says. Human cultists will run outposts across Redfall, which players will clear to make areas safe. Or safer.

The other exciting question mark hanging over Redfall – jostling for space with that blackened sun – is multiplayer. It's an Arkane rarity, yet the developer revealed an experimental PvP streak with Deathloop's invasion mode, inspired by the semi-competitive 'dance' of director Dinga Bakaba's capoeira hobby. Some fighters chose not to compete at all and instead face Deathloop as impromptu co-op partners, and co-op is exactly what Redfall supports, formally this time. You can play alone, or with up to three others. "Teammates can try different hero loadouts and combine their strengths to overcome the vampire legion and their brood of maniacal followers," says the developer.

If Arkane Austin has taken any notes from the Deathloop team in Lyon, we're in for a treat when it comes to loadouts. That titular 'loop' never became repetitive, in thanks part to the huge pool of gun and power upgrades players could bind to their character, Colt, and combine in clever combos. In that respect, Deathloop felt less like a loot-shooter and more like a deckbuilder. Its trinket-slotting metagame rewarded you for finding and testing overpowered matchups – such as rerouting your health bar to overclock your mana, granting extended bouts of invisibility. It's a marvellous foundation to build a co-op FPS atop of, should Arkane choose to go that route with Redfall. We already know that its weaponry will be found throughout the island, be customisable, and complement the unique abilities of its cast.

Speaking of, invisibility comes as part of the package with Jacob, one of Redfall's four player characters. You might remember him as "Edgar Allen Bro" from the trailer – an ex-military sharpshooter who appears to have dropped straight out of Warzone, separated from his PMC platoon by the town's vampire crisis. 

His stealth focus and goth raven make a stark contrast to, say, Layla's showy telekinetic powers. It's she who sees off a newly evolved vampire – an angler, which separates players from their team using a psychic harpoon – with an enormous, unfolding spectral umbrella, which seems to act like a rain-proof patronus. But her juiciest-looking conjuration is a translucent purple elevator, simply because it implies the sort of vertical, secret-searching exploration Arkane is known and admired for.

Layla, incidentally, is right at the heart of the island's mystery – apparently spat out by the same scientific experiment that birthed the vampires. Her secrets, along with those of the town and each of the protagonists, will out during the course of Redfall's campaign. Perhaps it's only fitting that the game as a whole should remain something of a black box for now, even as its summer 2022 release approaches.

All throughout January, GamesRadar+ is exploring the biggest games of the new year with exclusive interviews, hands-on impressions, and in-depth editorials. For more, be sure to follow along with Big in 2022. 

Deathloop doesn't have functioning toilets. The light switches on the Isle of Blackreef don't work either. Do either of these observations really matter in the grand scheme of things? No, not particularly. Do I feel inclined to raise them all the same? Yes, absolutely. Pedantry is a reaction Arkane Studios must be all too familiar with by now; the developer has thoroughly earned its reputation for building some of the most wondrously detailed and immersive worlds in the modern era. You have no choice but to pick at the occasional loose thread because there is so little to criticise about the larger tapestry. 

Given that I've opened up this review by talking about Blackreef's bathrooms, you can probably see where I'm going with this already: While Deathloop may share some common design ethos with Dishonored and Prey, it's a fundamentally different experience. Arkane establishes this early, with the first locked door you encounter. I do it almost on instinct, punching 0451 into the keypad and expecting it to swing open. Instead, I'm met with a blinking red light as Captain Colt Vahn growls something about 'old habits dying hard' – a PlayStation Trophy pops, a consolation prize for the infamous immersive sim cheat code not working on Blackreef either. I'll promise you this, you've never played an Arkane game quite like Deathloop before. 

Worlds Apart

Arkane sets its worlds apart by targeting coherence. Dunwall and Karnaca were high-concept, heavily industrialized cities peering off the edge of the world, but they felt lived-in – as if they were real places that Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin were actively disrupting. While working to secure Talos I, it seemed as if Morgan Yu really was rooting through a space station suspended in the past, a scientific experiment gone awry recounted one room at a time. Arkane didn't build these intricate environments just to impress, it did so to tell a layered narrative, and to immerse you in a specific place and time. Every object in an Arkane world is there for a reason. It's this characteristic of coherence that helped make Dishonored and Prey special.

It's exciting then to see the studio try something different with Deathloop. Blackreef might be Arkane's most artificial world yet. Your main point of interaction with its patchwork of spaces is through the barrels of some beautifully rendered weaponry. What we have in Blackreef is four creative, finely-crafted sets  – each dressed to be seen during four periods of a single day – that are both self-contained and persistently tracking progress in what will at times feel like an impossible task: to assassinate eight targets in a single day, or die trying. 

And you're going to die. Truth be told, you're going to die a lot. And I promise that you're going to enjoy it. You'll be shot, stabbed, and sent tumbling down cliff faces, splashing into the frigid waters that surround this island suspended in time. You'll choke, drown, be set on fire, and ground up into meat paste as you stalk rooftops in the morning, noon, afternoon, and night. As a reward for exploring enough to uncover a path less travelled, maybe you'll accidentally trap yourself in a depressurization chamber, or have your molecules obliterated by an unstable reactor. Death isn't to be feared in Deathloop, but embraced. 

Dying is an opportunity to learn something new. About the layout of Blackreef's four districts, the eight Visionaries that must be assassinated, and the hordes of Eternalists that are hell bent on preventing it all from crashing down around them. Deathloop is less concerned about delivering a coherent lived-in world, with Arkane focusing its energy instead on building something that is consistent. That is key, because consistency allows you to internalize enemy placements and begin to use them to your advantage. Gradually, you'll discover how to retain your favorite weapons and awesome supernatural powers, even after dying. You'll work out where the Visionaries reside, the fastest routes to confront them, and, eventually, ways to encourage multiple targets to reside in a single location. The steady acquisition of knowledge is a more powerful weapon than any gun or power in Deathloop.

And it's all a lot of fun. When I said before that Blackreef felt artificial, that isn't necessarily a criticism. Deathloop has a different agenda to Dishonored and Prey. Blackreef is less a playground and more of a smartly-designed hedge maze; there's only one exit and, every time that you die, you're put back at the entrance; the story it wants to convey is one of escape and everything you do is in service of that. 

What Arkane has built here in Deathloop is a multifaceted puzzle box. Blackreef doesn't feel fleshed out in the way Dunwall and Karnaca did. No matter how much reading of discarded notes you do, you won't get a real sense of why hundreds of masked Eternalists flocked to the island to escape the passage of time, why the Visionaries invested so much of themselves in preserving the loop, or how any of them live their lives in Deathloop's four dreamy technicolor districts. The people of Blackreef exist to die. To be whipped out of windows with telekinesis. To have their necks snapped over, and over, and over again. To stand rooted in place as you storm toward them with an SMG that heals you gripped in one hand and a hand-cannon that fires explosive rounds in the other. Deathloop doesn't excel as an out-and-out shooter, its turning circle and aim assist can feel sluggish in a way that Wolfenstein doesn't, for example – a series the studio has collaborated with MachineGames on in the past. But it sure is a hell of a good time to shoot a lot of people all the same.  

Knowledge is power

Deathloop isn't the first game to attempt a puzzle box in this new generation. IO Interactive's Hitman 3 arrived earlier this year and the difference between the two couldn't be more stark – both in terms of their visual aesthetic and style of play they encourage. If anything, the experience of playing Deathloop is the inverse of how you're traditionally pushed through something like a Hitman 3. IO designed a complexity curve that is narrow to begin with and gradually widens as you familiarise yourself with its overlapping systems, mechanics, and layouts. Its 'mission stories' can help even the most confused killers execute the most spectacular assassinations, steering players with waypoints and contextual clues through every step of the process. As you become more comfortable, IO gradually takes its hands off of your shoulders, leaving you to your own devices inside some truly stunning sandboxes. 

Deathloop does the opposite. Arkane uses the opening hours to outline the big concept. To point to where each of the Visionaries initially reside and to teach you the basics of death, respawning, equipping weapons, and altering their utility with supernatural Trinkets. And then Arkane walks away, throwing you into Blackreef to be guided by little more than the occasional mission marker and your inherent desire to experiment. The first 15 hours of Deathloop are among its most entertaining, as you push against the world just to see how hard it will shove you back. 

Eventually, Deathloop begins to contort. As you begin taking Visionaries down, collecting their unique weapons and Slabs – supernatural abilities, not bestowed upon you by An Outsider, but made by a few dozen annoying scientists in a laboratory – and discovering key information on how to break the cycle, the complexity curve begins to narrow and the scope of play with it. There's only one way to set the dominos and only one way to have them fall. Once you work out an element that's critical to breaking the loop, Deathloop celebrates it with an animated cutscene just to punctuate the point: you may have nothing but time, but it's time to stop wasting it.

In a sense then, Deathloop gets more linear as time goes on, until you're essentially speedrunning toward a cycle of murder that can topple all eight of the Visionaries. You stop utilizing non-essential locked passageways, hidden hideaways, and the verticality of the maps, as you may have done in the early hours, and begin to focus your attention on efficiency. Deathloop ceases to hint at new opportunities and starts offering solutions outright, with mission markers and menu indicators working to keep you on track. It's a fascinating twist, one that keeps Deathloop feeling fresh and focused all throughout its generous runtime. If I were to give you any advice, it would be not to rush toward the final objective; taking time to explore, discovering ways to streamline your runs through each area and time zone, is a good time worth savoring. The longer you can hold off on assembling the pieces of the puzzle, the better a time you'll have with Deathloop. 

Die, die, and die again

Even with Deathloop's focus narrowing over time, there is one element of randomization that will have a minor impact on your runs and that's Julianna – a small inconsistency in a game otherwise defined by its predictable patterns. Whether the rival assassin is controlled by AI or by another real player – whereby somebody across the world boots up Deathloop, chooses violence, and decides to invade your game from the menu – it's a nice touch that can very quickly increase the tension in your fingers, something the Eternalists and Visionaries eventually lose the ability to do. Listen, once you're able to clear all of Fristad Rock with little more than a pressurized nail gun and an intimate knowledge of both enemy and trap placement, Deathloop's pervading sense of challenge can begin to dissipate. 

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Deathloop. It wasn't what I thought it was going to be and it seemed to challenge my expectations without reservation. It's a murder mystery that's suspended in a time loop. It's a first-person shooter that features a shotgun that can transform into a rifle. It's a sci-fi spy adventure that's stuck in the '70s. It's all of these things and none of them at all. My impression of Deathloop seemed to shift with every passing hour and, as a result, it's difficult to not be impressed – if not thoroughly enthralled – with what Arkane has pieced together here. It's different, it's stylish, it's new. You won't play anything else quite like Deathloop for a very long time.

Deathloop was reviewed on PS5 with code provided by the publisher. 

Despite Bethesda and Arkane Studios' repeated protests, the Dishonored developer is in fact making Prey 2, according to leaked emails obtained by Kotaku. The new Prey 2 includes none of Human Head's open-world bounty-hunting game--it's a clean slate pitched as a "spiritual successor to System Shock 3."

Prey 2 surfaced in 2011 with an impressive E3 trailer, but its development (and Human Head's relationship with Bethesda) became stuck in a poorly communicated limbo--kinda like Prey 1's decade-long creation.

Bethesda VP of marketing Pete Hines ridiculed rumors in June that Bethesda had gone a dark on Prey 2 to reboot it with a new developer, saying "what is the chance that we have some amazing, unbelievable game and we’re just not talking about it for no reason? Zero."

Arkane Austin studio head Raphael Colantonio told Rock, Paper, Shotgun in an interview published yesterday he had no idea where the rumors came from.

But Kotaku produced emails allegedly sent from Colantonio in May which announced Arkane Austin would start Prey 2 anew, and then implored his developers not to answer questions from media. Bethesda said only that it had nothing to share about Arkane's next project or Prey 2 when reached for comment.

We already have at least three spiritual successors to System Shock in the BioShock series, but it's exciting to hear the team behind Dishonored give it a try, despite its strange secrecy.

Sometimes when a publisher and developer go quiet about a game awhile, it means they're waiting to emerge, phoenix-like, with new information, a release date, and a snazzy trailer. That isn't the case for Prey 2, Bethesda VP of PR and marketing Pete Hines told IGN.

“We appreciate that folks are displeased that we haven’t had any update or any info on Prey 2, but whatever your displeasure is, you can’t even be remotely as unhappy about it as us,” Hines said. “We spent years and millions of dollars and a ton of effort trying to help Human Head make a great Prey 2 game. What we said the last time we said anything was that it’s not up to our quality standards."

And that's still the case Hines said. He didn't address rumors that Arkane Studios, the team behind Dishonored, has taken over work on Prey 2 from Human Head. Whatever it is right now, it's just not good enough to warrant talking about. If and when that changes, Hines said, Bethesda will deliver an update.

"What is the chance that we have some amazing, unbelievable game and we’re just not talking about it for no reason? Zero," he said. "This is a business."

Editor's Note 4/19/13: Scroll down for GamesRadar's review of Dishonored's DLC update, The Knife of Dunwall.

Historically, new IPs with unique worlds don't pop up as frequently when it's several years into a console cycle. But with Arkane Studios’ Dishonored, the first-person, stealth-action title sneaks in, like its hero, and catches you completely off-guard with its overall quality. Dishonored arrives with a unique world filled with fascinating characters and intensely entertaining stealth-based combat. This strong core is topped off with the inclusion of player choice and the ability to create your own path in the world, making a thoroughly satisfying experience.

You play as Corvo Attano, the famed Lord Protector of the Empress of Dunwall. The city has seen better times, and is afflicted with an infectious rat plague that’s turning the citizens into zombie-like, blood-crying Weepers. Upon returning from an assignment to find a cure for the plague in a neighboring empire, Corvo witnesses the Empress’s assassination and kidnapping of the Empress’s daughter, Emily, and is rendered helpless. He is quickly accused of regicide by the true perpetrator and self-proclaimed Lord Regent (Hiram Burrows). But with the help of an underground resistance group, Corvo escapes captivity, meets with the band of loyalists and, begins setting plans in motion to rescue Emily and enact revenge on those responsible.

Players receive missions from the Hound Pits, the Loyalists's home base. From here, you’ll head to an open mission area by boat where you can gather details on your target, discover secret paths, and decide what course of action you’ll take. Every target can be assassinated, but with additional effort, each one can be neutralized through unique, non-lethal means. So, instead of simply stabbing them in the neck, you can manipulate situations to get the target banished, humiliated, or even kidnapped by a “secret admirer.” It is incredibly rewarding to successfully complete the optional side missions required to pull off the non-lethal solution. You’ll learn everything there is to know about the dense world lore and the interesting target characters--like their motivations, and personalities--through journals, voice recordings and NPC gossip. Then, once you find out how horrible of a person the targets are, you’ll feel satisfied when you give them a punishment that’s (in most cases) much worse than death.

The entire world setting immerses you in the story and creates motivation for you to rid Dunwall of it’s corrupt political figures. You explore the visually striking, Victorian-inspired city, covered in graffiti--protesting the oppressive overlord. Plagued corpses lie on sidewalks and fill rotting apartment buildings. The characters are believable, intriguing, and unpredictable--forcing you to consider the fate of every prominent character, even the Average Joe security guard. Every mission environment feels different from the last, ranging from dank, underground sewers and long abandoned whale oil factories to royal mansions and exclusive burlesque houses. But Dishonored truly excels at pulling you in with its integration of player choice.

The story maintains its intrigue by showing how your actions impact the game world. Whether you choose to assassinate or spare a target, your number of kills, or the more you make your presence known to your enemies, they all increase the world’s chaos rating. Doing less desirable actions makes Dunwall a drearier place, giving true weight to your choices. A high chaos rating fills the streets with additional weepers and rats, but it also has a psychological impact on your companions and their attitudes toward you. You can be seen as a ruthless killer, or a merciful savior, making the story all the more engrossing as you see the impact you are making.

Corvo has a variety of weapons and abilities at his disposal. Assassin-style weapons like his retractable short sword and one-handed crossbow make up his standard arsenal, but he also has access to supernatural abilities--bestowed upon Corvo by the celestial Outsider--that allow him to transport himself short distances, summon rats, and freeze time. Each of these abilities are earned and upgraded by collecting runes, and Corvo can get minor bonuses from finding and equipping bone charms. Collecting the runes and bone charms encourages exploration, but it can become annoying when the on-screen pop-ups continuously remind you to upgrade and force you to enter the menus to get rid of them.

Although Dishonored has a sequential level structure, the missions are far from linear. The way you approach a goal is completely up to you. If you're interested in action and gruesome kills, you can charge through guards with adrenaline fueled melee kills, explosive grenades, and Jedi-like force pushes. Or you may decide to get creative by combining your weapons and abilities to almost absurd levels, which is incredibly amusing. You can summon a horde of rats, freeze time, attach a spring razor (proximity mine) to a rat, possess the rat, then walk it over to a guard, the spring razor will release, shredding the guard to meaty chunks. The multiple combat options allow you to play your own way while making you feel like a powerful super-ninja, but ability limitations and powerful enemies ensure missions won’t be a walk in the park.

Unfortunately, starting off with limited abilities and weapons in the beginning of the game might leave a bad taste for some players. Some of the earlier challenges are abnormally difficult, simply because you don’t have to abilities like Time Bend or Rat Swarm to help you get out of sticky situations. Without the more powerful skills, your success will be more dependent on trial and error, which can become discouraging.

Alternatively, you can completely “ghost” a level, leaving none the wiser to you ever being there. But, taking the stealth route is boring compared to more violent methods. You can find clever ways to circumnavigate enemy guard positions and find hidden paths in the nooks and crannies of the environment, but you’ll also have to forgo the system of combining the weapons and abilities we mentioned before. The fun-factor of patiently hiding in the shadows pales in comparison to dismembering adversaries with magic powers or sticking your retractable blade through an enemy’s chin. However, the alternate outcomes and multiple story endings lend themself well to more than one playthrough. So, getting your bloody rampage fix on the first run may inspire you to make the next pass a bit more subtle.

Dishonored combines a beautiful, stylized world filled with colorful characters, and gameplay freedom to form a fantastic adventure that you will want to revisit again and again. The open-style missions--combined with the weapons and abilities--make a thrilling playground to explore, tough enemies present a significant challenge, and the multiple outcomes, characters, and setting create an exhilarating world to discover. Dishonored is a game that you won’t want to miss.

Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall DLC review

Corvo Attano's story is done, but there are still other tales to be told from the city of Dunwall. Dishonored's first DLC offering, The Knife of Dunwall, is set immediately after the assassination of the empress at the beginning of the original game and puts you in the role of Daud, the leader of the assassin order called The Whalers. The DLC takes you through three challenging missions, gives you access to new powers, and lets you dive deeper into the lore of Dishonored. And guess what? Those additional missions are absolutely worth your time.

The Knife of Dunwall gives you more insight into the mind of the master assassin in the first part of a two-part story. Daud's struggle with guilt over the murder of the empress and the downfall of Dunwall, as well as his subsequent path to redemption, is a compelling setup. But with the story being broken up into two parts, the story feels like it's just that; a full story that has been chopped in half. That is to say, the intriguing introduction to the bad guy ends incredibly abruptly with a weak twist.

Some of the environments are particularly striking. For instance, the first level takes you through a whale oil factory that contains butchers torturing civilians and a massive whale being drained of its valuable fluids, while it's still alive. The corrupt moments you witness drive home the concept of Daud's guilt and opens up the character as more than just a heartless murderer.

Outside the underwhelming ending, the DLC maintains the excellent stealth-action gameplay of the original, and gives you a few twists on the classic powers to experiment with. The levels are as challenging as ever, with multiple options in terms of the path you take to your target and whether you eliminate them lethally or just ruin their lives. You'll also get a chance to explore more of the corrupt city's underbelly, both in the environments and in the diaries, books, and notes you find.

Daud's alternate weapons and powers give players a few less options than what Corvo had and your abilities rely more on distraction than straight stealth tactics. The original rat summoning power now calls a helpful assassin to your side, possession is completely missing, and you now have enemy-stunning Chokedust grenades at your disposal. These options give you fewer avenues to be stealthy and creative with kills, since tactics like possessing enemies and walking them into deathtraps is impossible. However, the core gameplay is still strong, even if Daud's abilities lean more towards the Chaos path.

Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall is an entertaining experience from a gameplay standpoint. It hits the highpoints of the original game as you carefully ghost through the environments or brutally assassinate everyone you see. If you're looking for more of Dishonored's stealth-action gameplay, The Knife of Dunwall will definitely scratch the itch, but you'll have to wait for part two to see if Daud's tale will be a full, compelling story.

Our Verdict: Buy it

The next Dishonored DLC will very likely be called "The Other Side of the Coin." New trophy information for the game via PS3Trophies gives a few details about what is likely the next pack, which Bethesda last year said will focus on magic-wielding assassin Daud.

It looks like The Other Side of the Coin will resemble Corvo Attano's quest of vengeance, offering trophies for completing the content without alerts or kills, and a similar "chaos" system. We'll be interested to see where and when players will take over Daud's story--if you've played through the main game, you know his regrettable contribution to the story of Dunwall.

Bethesda said it has plans for at least one more story-driven expansion after this one, and that it's "clearly" a new franchise. We've reached out to the publisher for comment on the trophy information and will update this story with any response.

Around this time last year, Valve confirmed that it and Dishonored developer Arkane Studios had previously collaborated on Half-Life content called Return to Ravenholm. That project unfortunately fell through but, hey, Dishonored. That was pretty cool.

Now, thanks to ValveTime and a generous former Arkane developer (via Eurogamer), we can get a first--and probably last--look at several animation tests and stills from the game. The project was allegedly in development between 2006 and 2007, which would put it right around the release of Half-Life 2: Episode 2.

Speaking of the episodic series, Return to Ravenholm has been perplexingly referred to as Half-Life 2: Episode 4--but series designer Marc Laidlaw told Lambda Generation it was likely just a mix-up. The collaboration with Arkane was promising, but just didn't work out, Laidlaw said.

"We are big fans of Arkane and wanted to come up with a project we could work on together," Laidlaw said. "We threw ideas around, they built some cool stuff, but we eventually decided that it didn’t make sense to pursue it at the time. As I recall, we felt like a lot of the staples of Ravenholm–headcrabs and zombies!–were pretty much played out, and the fact that it would have to take place sometime before the end of Episode 2 (so as not to advance beyond where Valve had pushed the story) was a creative constraint that would hamper the project…and Arkane."

Geez, if Valve thought zombies were played out in 2007... Anyway, though we may never return to Ravenholm, we can enjoy these atmospheric screenshots, and puzzle over what that "Absorption" HUD element could possibly have measured.

Expect more steampunky plague-ridden open-level stealth in the future: Dishonored has outsold Bethesda's expectations, solidifying the project as a franchise for the publisher. Looks like new IP can succeed, even in a season filled with titles from triple-A heavy hitters like Call of Duty and Assassin's Creed.

"I can tell you that Dishonored is far exceeding our sales expectations, which is especially cool considering it’s new IP facing a host of well-established franchises this quarter," Bethesda VP of marketing Pete Hines told Destructoid. "We did terrific numbers again this past weekend, both in stores and on Steam, where Dishonored was listed as the No. 1 selling title over the holiday weekend. And Dishonored has really sold well overseas."

Bethesda didn't reveal specific sales numbers, but whatever they were, they were good enough to more or less guarantee a trip back to Dunwall--speaking of which, check out what we'd like to see in a theoretical Dishonored 2: Dishonored Harder.

"So, we’re very pleased and appreciate all the fans that have supported Dishonored and Arkane," Hines said. "We clearly have a new franchise."

Bethesda has uploaded the latest images and artwork from Arkane Studio's upcoming assassin game, Dishonored, showcasing the game's “retro-futuristic” visuals and its developer's preference for rendering women in various states of undress. Not that we're complaining, mind you, just that we're worried about them catching a cold.

These newest screenshots unravel a bit more about Bethesda supernatural action game, which looks to mix BioShock's style with Deus Ex's mechanics and add a dash of Hitman and Ninja Gaiden for good measure.

“Dishonored casts you as a supernatural assassin driven by revenge,” reads Bethesda's own description, explaining, “Creatively eliminate your targets with the flexible combat system as you combine the numerous supernatural abilities, weapons and unusual gadgets at your disposal. Pursue your enemies under the cover of darkness or ruthlessly attack them head on with weapons drawn. The outcome of each mission plays out based on the choices you make.”

Aesthetically, Arkane insists it is not going for a steampunk vibe, but instead creating a “retro-futuristic” world that will differ from earth in its physics, history, and civilization. From what we gathered in last year's preview, Dishonored is indeed less about fancy gears and shiny tech, and more about dingy alleys, diseased rats, and well-dressed targets.

Dishonored is being developed for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC for a release later this year.