Technology

Microsoft has announced a partnership with Suno to bring its AI-powered music creation capabilities to Copilot. With the Suno plugin, Microsoft Copilot users will be able to create personalized songs with the help of prompts. The song creation feature follows a host of new AI-driven enhancements to Microsoft Copilot. Announced in September, the Copilot AI companion rebrands the company’s AI services, including the Bing Chat AI chatbot, under a single umbrella.

In a blog post published Tuesday, Microsoft said that the Suno plugin would bring the ability to generate complete songs, with lyrics, instrumentals, and vocals, from a single sentence. Copilot users don’t need to have musical knowledge to start creating songs on the AI assistant. According to Microsoft, Suno will match the song to the cues present in the prompt to generate a full song.

To enable Suno on Microsoft Copilot, users can head to copilot.microsoft.com while signed into their Microsoft account, toggle on the Suno plugin or click on the Suno logo that says, “Make music with Suno.” Users can then use prompts to specify genre and theme to create the song they want.

According to the blog, the Suno plugin for Microsoft Copilot has started rolling out to some users and will be available widely in the coming weeks.

Earlier this month, Microsoft announced new upcoming copilot features to mark a year of the AI chatbot. Copilot will soon get OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-4 Turbo, which will enable it to perform more complex and longer tasks. Additionally, Copilot is also getting the new DALL-E 3 model for image generation, that will allow it to create richer images that better reflect user prompts.

Back in September, a Windows 11 update integrated Copilot to Microsoft’s operating system. In addition to integrating the chatbot into Windows 11, Microsoft also updated the MS Paint app with support for layers and graphics generation. The screenshotting app Snipping Tool also received AI-based features like text extraction and redaction.

The hacker responsible for leaking in-development videos of Grand Theft Auto VI last year has been reportedly confined to a secure hospital — for an indefinite period. As per BBC News, an 18-year-old individual named Arion Kurtaj, who was part of the notorious cybercrime group Lapsus$, was deemed unfit to stand trial due to acute autism diagnosis. So, based on a mental assessment, the jury was asked to decide whether the heinous act was committed with criminal intent — resulting in the claim that the individual was ‘highly motivated’ to return to crime. As such, he has been sentenced to life in hospital indefinitely until he’s deemed as no longer dangerous to people.

Kurtaj was arrested back in September 2022 on suspicion of the Rockstar Games hack, during which he pled not guilty and faced trial for the crimes his cybercrime group committed against Nvidia and Uber. “The jury was told that while he was on bail for hacking Nvidia and BT/EE and in police protection at a Travelodge hotel, he continued hacking and carried out his most infamous hack,” the report states. The hack was seemingly carried out in a hotel room, which he performed using an Amazon Firestick, a television, and a smartphone. (His laptop was allegedly confiscated from a previous breach attack.) Having gained access to the company’s Slack group, he boldly threatened to release the GTA 6 source code within the next 24 hours unless Rockstar negotiated with him over the Telegram messaging app.

While not explicitly mentioned, Rockstar might have declined his requests, leading to Kurtaj releasing over 90 clips from the highly anticipated video game into the wilds, in what could be called one of the biggest leaks in gaming history. Earlier this month, the company dropped the first trailer for GTA VI, showing off some in-engine footage and a glimpse at our two leads, Lucia and Jason. That video garnered 62 million views within just 13 hours of release, causing Kurtaj’s defence team to argue that the leaks barely put a dent in the game’s success and that no serious harm was caused. However, Rockstar argued that the leak spoiled thousands of hours put into development and affected the team morale, causing $5 million worth of damage for recovery. In addition to Kurtaj, another unnamed 17-year-old male was convicted of partaking in the cyberattack on Nvidia and stealing cryptocurrency.

More recently, another AAA game studio Insomniac Games fell victim to a ransomware attack, with the responsible cybercrime group releasing 1.67TB of confidential data into the wild, including a fully functioning build of the upcoming Wolverine game, emails between employees and their personal information, presentations on future release slate, sales figures, and more. Game developers around the world have united to shower love and support to the affected and denounced hacks which could endanger people’s lives.

Grand Theft Auto 6 will launch on the current-gen PS5 and Xbox Series S/X sometime in 2025.

Microsoft Copilot appears to have been quietly rolled out to Android users. Copilot, driven by the latest OpenAI models GPT-4 and DALL-E 3, is capable of generating content and creating visuals from basic text descriptions and requests. It is Microsoft’s Bing Chat AI chatbot and other existing AI features rebranded and bundled together as a generative AI assistant. Although the company has not announced the release officially, Microsoft Copilot is currently listed on Google’s Play Store and is available for download to all Android users.

The Play Store listing (first spotted by Neowin) of Microsoft Copilot lists the app as free-to-use, suggesting there could be in-app purchases. As per the listing on the Play Store, the app was last updated on December 19. Microsoft rebranded its Bing Chat AI to Copilot in September this year. However, unlike Bing Chat, the new app is completely dedicated to providing access to Microsoft’s AI conversation helper. There is no distraction from Bing’s search engine or rewards, but advertisements will show up occasionally in this new app.

Copilot, as suggested by the listing, offers free access to OpenAI’s GPT-4 and DALL-E 3 artificial intelligence models, which are claimed to help offer users “fast, complex, and precise responses, as well as the ability to create breathtaking visuals” from simple text cues. 

The Microsoft Copilot app for Android does not require users to sign in to a Microsoft account. However, the company explains that signing in using a Microsoft email ID would allow “more questions” and “longer conversations” with the chatbot. The app also asks for an approximate location permission but it is not mandatory to share. A toggle within the Microsoft Copilot application enables users to turn on GPT-4 access, which the app also warns will be “slower while being creative.”

Meanwhile, a report by Windows Latest citing internal sources suggests that Microsoft is working on an iOS version of Copilot. The report claims that it is “nearly ready” and could launch soon although it does not detail a timeline. For the time being, iOS users can access Microsoft Copilot via the Bing Chat app.

Microsoft is believed to be working on new versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 with significant design and hardware improvements. They are expected to come with Intel’s latest 14th-generation and Qualcomm X series chips. The tech giant is yet to officially reveal launch plans for the laptops but a media report claims that Microsoft is preparing AI-oriented versions of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 for the spring. They are said to feature next-gen neural processing unit (NPU), along with Intel and Arm-based options.

A report by Windows Central citing sources states that Microsoft Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 will be launched in the spring with a choice of either an Intel or an Arm processor. Both models will reportedly include next-gen NPU silicon. The Arm variant could be powered by a custom version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Series chips. They are said to be marketed as Microsoft’s first true next-gen AI PCs by incorporating AI-enabled features.

Microsoft’s Arm-based PCs, codenamed CADMUS, will reportedly be designed to run the next version of Windows, codenamed Hudson Valley. They will reportedly include Microsoft’s AI Windows experiences for 2024 and offer improved performance, battery life, and security on par with Apple silicon. The Intel version of the Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 will reportedly run on Intel’s 14th Gen processors.

The Surface Laptop 6 will reportedly get an updated design with thinner bezels, rounded display corners, and new ports. It is said to be offered in 13.8-inch and 15-inch display sizes. The rumoured 13.8-inch display would be an upgrade from the 13.5-inch display on the Surface Laptop 5. Further, the upcoming model could offer two USB Type-C ports and a USB Type-A port alongside a magnetic Surface Connect charging port. Microsoft is expected to include a haptic touchpad on the laptop as well. The Surface Laptop 6 is anticipated to sport a dedicated Copilot button on the keyboard deck for quickly accessing Windows Copilot.

Microsoft will reportedly provide a brighter display on the Surface Pro 10 with support for HDR content. It is said to feature rounded edges on the display and the screen could have an anti-reflective coating. It might come with a resolution of either 1,440 x 2,160 or 1,920 x 2,880. It is expected to feature an NFC reader for commercial customers and a wider FoV webcam with Windows Studio Effects. In addition to this it might include an updated Type Cover accessory with a dedicated Copilot button.

2023 was an incredible year for games, with each month grabbing our attention with a defining entry — be it sequels, remakes, or highly-anticipated blockbusters. Since the Holiday season is here, we asked the folks at Gadgets 360 what their highlights were, only to be met with some truly compelling takes. One of them is an award hoarder pushing the role-playing medium forward and alarming the larger AAA gaming industry, while the other is an indie game about fishing, whose deep waters hide some Lovecraftian horrors. Then there’s a nightmarish twist on Pinocchio’s Tale, new escapades from Marvel’s web crawlers, and Link’s journey back in time to save Hyrule.

With that, here are Gadgets 360’s favourite games of the year, available across PC, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X. (In no particular order)

Baldur’s Gate III

A triumphant distillation of complex Dungeons & Dragons mechanics, it’s actually unreal how Larian Studios managed to immerse us into the Forgotten Realms and make fraternising with devils, deities, and the supernatural feel like the best thing ever. If you’re still whining about its tabletop origins governed by a turn-based combat style, maybe the awards haul will convince you to at least give it a fair shot. Baldur’s Gate 3 is a staggering achievement in player agency, where every decision contorts the world around you, be it landmark events, absurd dialogue options, or romantic flings with its wonderful cast of companions. Befriend a squirrel or punt it into a slobbering mash of blood and flesh, side with the goblins to lead a genocide, or woo a vampire spawn to learn about his torturous and submissive past at the behest of a manipulative master.

The top-notch voice acting and performances make it impossible to not care about your party mates’ plights — an assassin hellbent on proving herself worthy, an amnesiac cleric on a suicide mission, and a Tiefling with an engine for a heart — revealed through sprawling sub-quests and strengthening bonds, in moments that feel personal. The notion that every activity is dependent on the roll of polyhedral dice is certainly intimidating, but that’s the charm of DnD, where every step you take is equally anxiety-inducing as is rewarding. Anything could happen at any given second but that rule also applies to NPCs. Unorthodox tactics such as pushing enemies off cliffs or stabbing them from the back are as viable as facing them head-on with carefully planned attacks and spell loadouts. There’s limitless freedom in how you want to approach a situation — smooth talk your way out of fights, have sex with a bear, turn yourself into a literal wheel of cheese, or pledge allegiance with a squid-faced entity to harness godly powers.

Apologies for endlessly gushing about this game, but it’s just that good! The technical merits are one thing, but the memories I created in these gorgeous lands picking the wildest options and leading my group to comical deaths, while the soothing voice of the dungeon master graphically describes them, is something I’ll cherish for a long time. I must also commend Larian Studios for its unending post-launch support and honest communication with the community to account for pretty much every feedback. The team just went, “Oh, you want to change your character’s appearance in-game? Fine, We’ll add the feature in a future patch.” I can’t recall the last time a developer rewrote an ending just because the fans were unsatisfied, and that’s saying something! — Rahul Chettiyar

Buy: Baldur’s Gate III

Baldur’s Gate 3 Review

Baldur’s Gate 3 was crowned Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2023
Photo Credit: Larian Studios

Marvel’s Spider-Man 2

Insomniac Games have just about perfected the art of churning out high-production value blockbuster games that also clear a certain bar of quality when it comes to storytelling. Spider-Man 2 is no different. It pins down the soul of a Spider-Man story while maintaining an incredibly high level of polish. It takes all the good things from the previous two Spider-Man games from Insomniac and makes them just a little better. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 does not rewrite the playbook. In many ways, it is an iterative sequel that also sticks to tried and tested open-world game design, but it attempts to curate the experience in a way that it never feels like an interminable checklist of chores.

Insomniac clearly put the emphasis on the journeys of both Peter and Miles and the people around the two Spider-Men. The web-swinging duo are the stars of the show, but side characters like MJ, Rio Morales, and Mr. Negative are portrayed with care and attention. Spider-Man 2’s villains, Lizard, Kraven, and Venom, feel fleshed out and imposing. And the expanded New York City map remains a detailed and visually stunning playground to swing around in. I found myself launching the game, even after I’d Platinumed it, just to web-swing and glide around the beautiful map.

Spider-Man 2’s combat remains elastic and fun and flexible, but it shies away from experimentation and complexity. I wish Insomniac added more depth to the fighting, instead of just throwing in a parry mechanic. Spider-Man 2’s story, too, takes the easy way out, avoiding a bolder approach and instead opting for a predictable final act. But most of the gripes are swept away by the sheer quality of the overall package. Insomniac’s Spidey sequel is visually stunning at all times, it tells a fun and engaging story, and it delivers on kinetic set-piece action moments. It’s like rewatching a good Marvel movie, where familiarity is part of the reason why you can pick it up again any time. — Manas Mitul

Buy: Spider-Man 2

Spider-Man 2 Review

The monstrous Venom is the primary antagonist in Spider-Man 2
Photo Credit: Insomniac Games

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

In a year packed with excellent, genre-defining games, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom defies categorisation. It annihilates genres to mulch and forms something entirely new from the rubble. On the surface, it’s an open-world action-adventure title with an intense focus on exploration and freedom. But when you dive into its depths, quite literally, you find it to be so much more. Tears of the Kingdom packs experiences that aren’t found in video games at all, all while being one of the greatest video games ever made.

To begin with, it throws out all the mechanical tools from Breath of the Wild right out of the window from the get-go. At first, it’s a little disorienting. But soon, the game introduces new ways to play at a measured pace, revealing new powers at Link’s disposal. When you first begin to test out the new Ultrahand ability, which lets you pick up objects in the game world and join them together to build machines, the game is careful to not overwhelm you. Your initial constructions are simple but effective. They help you cross a lake and ride a rail to reach destinations that initially seemed out of bounds. With time, Ultrahand grants you the freedom to build anything you want — a virtual Lego with unlimited blocks and unlimited imagination. You only need to go to r/HyruleEngineering to see some of the incredibly complex constructions players came up with to completely change the nature of the gameplay. From fire-spitting mechs to flying saucers, machines you build in Tears of the Kingdom are the ultimate sandbox you can experience in the medium.

No other game has surprised me as much as TotK. No other game has come even close to providing the kind of variety and freedom as TotK has. And no other game matches TotK in its commitment to creative gameplay. It’s almost as if the game hands over total control to the player, like it was a test build meant for the developers’ eyes only. Tears of the Kingdom provided me game-breaking tools and allowed me to go crazy with them. And it’s a testament to its robustness that it did not buckle under the weight of intense experimentation. And it’s not just its mechanical wonders that make it an all-time great video game. It’s the evocative music, it’s the stunning vistas and beautiful visuals, it’s the layered game world that lets you explore the skies and dive the depths, and it’s the emotional earnestness of it all that could teleport players to the first time they picked up a toy. — Manas Mitul

Buy: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom

Lies of P

Haters might call this a knockoff, but I think Lies of P carves its own identity in this vast pool of Soulsborne-inspired games. Sure, there are stark similarities to Bloodborne by way of the gothic atmosphere — punctuated by cobblestone streets soaked with blood and oil, fancy lamps, and piles of corpses — but it incorporates some unique mechanics to bolster its hack-and-slash gameplay. Much of this is tied to the lore, which puts you in control of the infamous lying puppet boy Pinocchio, who must unravel the secrets behind a pestilence that’s turning all machinations into frenzied monsters. Dodge-rolling through the interconnected routes of Krat and discovering shortcuts brought flashbacks from the first time I played Dark Souls Remastered — my mouth wide open in immersion as I soaked in the winding level design that tied all key locations together.

Add to that a cast of eccentric NPCs — drawn from Carlo Collodi’s works — spewing tales of a rebellious uprising, where undervalued puppets fight back against their creators, and I was sold on this dark reimagining of a children’s classic. But for most, the highlight of a good souls-like is the punishing boss battles, and oh boy, Lies of P delivers in spades by forcing you to perfect parries to the dot and memorise patterns for what feels like eternity. Understandably, this could be frustrating for newcomers and as such, the game lets you summon spirits outside the arena, in addition to adding a slew of funnily creative weaponry; from stabbing foes with an umbrella to a giant pipe wrench for some heavy damage. Regardless of what build you choose, nothing beats the dopamine hit you get upon painstakingly beating a boss — a FromSoftware staple that developer Neowiz has managed to replicate nicely.

There are some quality-of-life tweaks as well, such as any lost souls from death can be placed outside the boss arena, the ability to regenerate healing items by exerting damage, and special icons that guide you to the next step in an NPC questline. Another thing I adore about Lies of P is how almost every character serves c-nt with their stylish 19th-century France-inspired garments; some of them emanating a strong steampunkish aura that you can’t resist dressing your Pinocchio in. Unlike most RPGs, there are no stats — or shall I say ‘strings’ — attached to clothing, so you can parade around in outlandish donkey masks, top hats, to reindeer antlers, and pair them up with some formal attire without fear of being underpowered. It feels casual in all the right places.

Neowiz completely knocked it out of the park with this release, and I’m already headed to New Game+ to scratch that never-ending Bloodborne itch! — Rahul Chettiyar

Buy: Lies of P

Dredge

On the surface, Dredge is a simple game about fishing. But dive a little deeper and this little indie gem from Black Salt Games shows up to be a profound adventure about isolation, existence, and the devils that dwell in dark waters. The game starts with you, a fisherman, reaching a small coastal town in a remote archipelago. The locals help you fix up your boat and hand you a list of fish to catch in the sea. The game follows a day-night cycle, with most of the fishing done during the daytime. Nights, on the other hand, are a different affair altogether. While it’s advisable to fish during the day, some special fish only show up at night. Out in the sea, when the sun goes down, strange creatures show up and attack you. As your panic rises in the open sea, you start hallucinating and take on nightmares head on.

As you keep finding rarer fish, you sell your catch to buy upgrades for your boat that make it faster and sturdier. You also slowly get better fishing gear to catch different kinds of fish. You must also manage resources well as your boat has limited space for upgrades and equipment. Aside from your fishing adventures, you can also take up requests and side quests from people living in coastal towns. Your adventures lead you through mysteries of the sea — ghostly ships and lost messages in bottles — as you slowly piece together bits of information to unravel the story.

Low on action and heavy on atmosphere, Dredge became my go to game to play on the Nintendo Switch in bed just before sleeping. There’s a calming quality to its quiet horror and I was drawn towards its mysteries, loading up my boat night after night and heading out to sea to fish. You don’t really know what strange phenomena you may encounter on each trip. But the best part is slowly sailing back to shore after your adventure — your boat loaded with your catch for the day, your lamp flickering in the sea breeze, and the lighthouse guiding you home. — Manas Mitul

Buy: Dredge

Dave the Diver

Getting ultra-addicted to a roguelite about ocean exploration and fishing wasn’t on my bingo card this year, but here we are. Dave the Diver largely revolves around spearfishing during the day to catch the freshest bounty and managing a local sushi restaurant by night, all of which is presented in a cutesy pixelated art style that you’ll struggle to break free of. Knowing that the gameplay loop could get tiring super fast, developer Mintrocket slowly evolves the game like a Jenga tower by adding new mechanics and character arcs without making it overwhelming. In just a few weeks into your new gig as a fisherman, you’ll have run into a full-blown otaku who helps with weapon crafting, an archaeologist studying underwater mysteries, a biology research student, and an Ash Ketchum cosplayer looking to gather digital cards based on what sealife you caught. Yep, that’s a play on obsessive Pokémon card collectors.

By gradually upgrading my suit and equipment, I got strong enough to make encounters with sharks and other perilous creatures. But back on the surface, I had veered into an even greater challenge — running multiple branches of Bancho’s sushi shop and dealing with a group of relentless dolphin poachers. So, if I wasn’t hastily running around the restaurant serving dishes and pouring matcha tea for impatient customers, I was busy hiring staff and harvesting produce and rice at a nearby farm. Things started to get really intense, so I would chill out by feeding the local cat Momo every once in a while, only to soon discover that he’s got a family in the backyard. As you’d guess, I took them in.

A lot of such smaller interactions in Dave the Diver grow into entire sidequests — be it celebrity chefs challenging Bancho, talking to some mysterious sea people, or even basic fetch missions. I never got bored throughout my playthrough and was always willing to jump back in for that one extra day of fish-hunting by even setting an alarm early in the morning before work. Safe to say, I was OBSESSED… but then Baldur’s Gate 3 launched (welp). — Rahul Chettiyar

Buy: Dave the Diver

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is one of the most popular free-to-play, cross-platform RPG games available today. The game grew in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic — it was launched by publisher miHoYo in 2020 — and has since been updated with several new features, regions, characters, and enemies to the game. This year, gamers were treated to a new region on the map of Teyvat — Fontaine, while regions like Sumeru and the adjoining desert were also expanded with new bosses and domains.

Earlier this year, miHoYo added a new region in the desert that is influenced by Persia with the Gavireh Lajavard update. Gamers also gained more insight into Sumeru’s Dendro Archon, and the map was opened up even further leading to another area to the north of the desert — the new region of Fontaine.

Right off the bat, you can tell that Fontaine is heavily inspired by France, from the names of characters to locations on the map. With a new steampunk aesthetic, Genshin Impact players will have to adapt gameplay to take advantage of new features and explore new regions in the game. The game also introduced Furina, the Archon in charge of the Hydro nation.

Unlike other regions in the game, the waters of Fontaine will not let you drown when you run out of stamina. In fact, you can actually swim underwater indefinitely when you are in Fontaine — your stamina bar appears blue instead of yellow. You can also “borrow” some underwater capabilities from aquatic animals, as your character’s skills do not work while swimming.

Among the more interesting areas added to the game is the Fortress of Meropide, which is a vast prison that can be explored with primary and secondary quests. The game has also added Neuvillette, Furina, Navia, Charlotte, Freminet, and Chevreuse — new characters from Fontaine that you can acquire through the game’s gacha system. — David Delima

Download: Genshin Impact

Locations are consistently updated with new enemies, wildlife, and storylines
Photo Credit: miHoYo

Stasis: Bone Totem

Dragging the revolting themes of a David Cronenberg film thousands of feet down to the ocean floor is a frightening affair for many. But for the grieving sea-faring couple Charlie and Mac, a discovery of such horrid proportions is like striking a goldmine, with the all-consuming darkness of a secret laboratory inviting them with questions and the festering stench of rotting carcasses. As a huge fan of the literary RPG Disco Elysium, I always have a soft spot for isometric games that rely on exploration and environmental storytelling to paint the larger picture. It also helps that I’ve gotten tired of the action-heavy Dead Space-esque route most sci-fi horror games take, where fear is generated from the anticipation of a jumpscare and dim lighting. While the latter is still true for Stasis: Bone Totem, the ability to see a whole room from above urges me to explore every corner and appreciate this gory universe.

One moment I’m learning about a brain implant that uploads memories to a digital afterlife upon death, and then a few hours later, I’m literally knee-deep in a pool of blood, listening to horrifying ritualistic chants from the next room. The art style is stunningly creepy, which is amplified by pulsating effects on living pieces of flesh and particulate matter floating around in the air. The meat of this game, however, is the elaborate puzzles — almost fashioned after a metroidvania wherein you’ll often revisit locations and run around in circles to slot in the new pieces. What’s more interesting is that the lead characters — Charlie, Mac, and an animatronic bear Moses — leverage their skills in breaking objects, repairs, and hacking to work together on convoluted solutions. A lot of this can feel like trial-and-error, but it always felt safe knowing that when I’m stuck, I can simply move the items over to the next character and mess about to see what happens.

Scattered around the underwater facility are datapads, yielding unique side stories about the crude experiments and other bizarre acts committed by scientists before your arrival. All of it is detailed in a neat order — almost like a diary — so it’s easy to decipher the spine-chilling events and connect the dots to the larger tragedy at hand. That said, I do wish that logs were narrated (one robotic voice) so I could just continue playing the game as I listened to them. Besides that, Stasis: Bone Totem is a fantastic indie gem that I simply can’t stop recommending to my friends! — Rahul Chettiyar

Buy: Stasis: Bone Totem

Final Fantasy XVI

I had never experienced a Final Fantasy game before Final Fantasy XVI, so I dived into the franchise with a blank slate, not really knowing what to expect aside from some of the recurring themes the series is known for. What I got was a sweeping adventure with deep and engaging lore, an emotional story with betrayal and revenge at its heart, and one of the best combat systems in video games all year. FFXVI falters where most modern RPGs excel — it has lacklustre exploration; it has underwhelming loot and character customisation; and it barely offers any meaningful choices. But it puts all its eggs in the basket of its incredibly polished and fun combat. FFXVI boss fights are some of the most epic in video games this year.

FFXVI has an interesting story to tell, too. I found myself wrapped up in the intricacies and politics of Valisthea, the palace intrigue that interjected the action, and shifting loyalties of the land’s kingdoms. As you take on Clive’s journey, you meet friends and foes and form your own group of companions. Clive, who has been on a path of revenge, takes on a higher cause and becomes a leader of the oppressed. The sprawling story, which takes cues from Game of Thrones, spans decades and involves a host of different players at different points. The information overload could easily become overwhelming, but the Active Time Lore system, which brings up contextual information and character bios in real-time with the press of a button, keeps things palatable.

If you’ve never played a Final Fantasy title, FFXVI is an ideal and accessible starting point. Each Final Fantasy game resets the setting and characters, so you can dive in without worrying about previous titles. FFXVI doesn’t quite match up to the diverse offerings of modern RPGs, but the game’s fascinating setting, its excellent combat and monolithic Eikon battles, and its evocative musical score make it one of the best narrative-action titles released this year. — Manas Mitul

Buy: Final Fantasy XVI

Final Fantasy XVI Review

Final Fantasy XVI puts you in the shoes of a brooding, likeable protagonist, Clive Rosfield
Photo Credit: Square Enix

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who’sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.

Best Games of 2023: Gadgets 360’s Favourite PC, PlayStation, Mobile, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch Games

Star Wars Outlaws, Ubisoft’s expansive open-world game set in the galaxy far, far away, was briefly known to be eyeing a ‘late 2024′ release window, as per a recent Disney Parks blog. That has since been corrected to reflect a general timespan this year, with the publisher confirming to Kotaku that the timing was incorrectly displayed. First revealed during an Xbox Showcase last year, the title is set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi movies, and introduces Kay Vess, a space scoundrel with a bounty on her head after botching up a job. Joining her on the crusade is the adorable axolotl-like alien Nix, performing certain actions at your command — akin to the BD-1 droid from Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.

“This is a character who is just trying to get by—stealing, outwitting and conning folks,” Narrative Director Navid Khavari told Kotaku in an interview. “I would love for folks playing the game to really get a sense of what it might feel like to step into the underworld.” It’s a time when the oppressive Empire is ruling the galaxy tightly and warding off the Rebellion, forming a ‘power vacuum’ that allows the underworld to make the best of the opportunity — with Kay and Nix taking on risky contracts and interacting with crime syndicates to build up their reputation. This is reportedly Star Wars Outlaws’ faction system, opening ways to new questlines and changing relationship status based on prior interactions. For now, it’s unclear whether players will be able to join as many factions as they want in a single playthrough, but Jabba the Hut is confirmed to be one of the quest-givers.

Developer Massive Entertainment unveiled the gameplay footage for Star Wars Outlaws last year, revealing that the protagonist Kay doesn’t have any Jedi powers, forcing her to rely on her trusty blasters or pick up any weapons lying around to make quick work of enemies. Meanwhile, traversal is largely dependent on a hovering motorcycle that’s equipped with a nitrous booster for a quick push and the ability to slow down time and target enemies with bullets, similar to the Dead Eye skill from Red Dead Redemption 2.

As for interplanetary exploration, Ubisoft claims that players will be able to freely travel around in their ‘Trailblazer’ ship and ping-pong between planets. I desperately hope this isn’t similar to Starfield, where exploration largely revolved around fast travels and staring at a loading screen. Players might often bump into dogfights and just like most RPGs, going off the beaten path will yield special rewards. Activities will be divided smoothly across three gameplay experiences — dense cities littered with NPCs, shops, and cantinas; massive open-world environments like the deserts of Tatooine; and the vast outer space.

Star Wars Outlaws is still slated to release sometime in 2024, across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Microsoft is adding a button to the Windows keyboard to activate its AI Copilot service, with the first devices to sport the new key available this month.

The Copilot key, which will sit to the right of the space bar, is the first change to the Windows keyboard layout since Microsoft added the Windows/Start key in 1994, underscoring the company’s commitment to artificial intelligence. Microsoft’s hardware partners will show off Windows 11 computers with the Copilot button over the coming days at the CES technology conference and, over time, it will become a required feature.

The shortcut will help users create images, write emails and summarize text with the help of AI.

“AI will be seamlessly woven into Windows from the system, to the silicon, to the hardware,” Microsoft’s consumer chief marketing officer, Yusuf Mehdi, said in a blog announcing the change.

The Redmond, Washington-based company sees 2024 as “the year of the AI PC,” according to Mehdi, mirroring the budding trend among smartphone makers to tout their latest models as “AI phones.” Those labels don’t carry much weight by themselves, but Microsoft has spent the past year retooling its biggest products around AI tech that can generate new content from massive datasets. That list now includes Windows, Office, Bing search, security software and customer and finance products. The work heavily leverages the GPT-4 technology from OpenAI, in which Microsoft has invested $13 billion (roughly Rs. 1,08,201 crore).

For device makers, Microsoft’s push into AI services has not yet translated into a boost for sales, as the novel Copilot features are being rolled out to new and existing devices alike. Mehdi’s promise of weaving AI into hardware and silicon may signal more pressure on consumers to upgrade as Microsoft evolves and improves its AI proposition.

© 2024 Bloomberg LP

Dell has refreshed some of its XPS laptops ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 that’s scheduled to be held from January 9 to January 12. The Dell XPS 13, XPS 14, and XPS 16 laptops now come with Intel Core Ultra processors that are equipped with Intel AI Boost Neural Processing Unit (NPU). These NPUs are said to increase support for inbuilt AI-backed features. The XPS 14 and XPS 16 are equipped with a Windows Hello-compliant fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button. These laptops are pre-installed with Windows 11 and support Microsoft-backed AI chatbot Copilot. The models will soon be available in the US and Canada.

Dell XPS 13, XPS 14, XPS 16 price

In a blog post, Dell confirmed that the XPS 13 will start at $1,299.99 (roughly Rs. 1,08,200), while the XPS 14 and XPS 16 will start at $1,699.99 (roughly Rs. 1,41,500) and $1,899.99 (roughly Rs. 1,58,100), respectively. The models are offered in Graphite and Platinum colour options. The availability of these laptops is expected to be announced at the upcoming CES 2024.

Dell XPS 13 specifications

The Dell XPS 13 is offered with either a 13.4-inch full-HD+ (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) InfinityEdge non-touch display or a 13.4-inch QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600 pixels) InfinityEdge touch display, with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and peak brightness level of 500 nits. It is also available in a 13.4-inch 3K+ (2,880 x 1,800 pixels) InfinityEdge touch display option with a refresh rate of up to 60Hz.

Users will be able to configure this model with either Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 125H, Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H, or Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 165H paired with Intel Arc graphics, up to 64GB of LPDDR5X dual channel RAM, and up to 4TB of PCIe 4 SSD. The laptop carries a 55Wh battery with a 60W AC adapter and ExpressCharge 1.0 support.

Dell XPS 14 specifications

Next up, the Dell XPS 14 gets a 14.5-inch full-HD+ (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) InfinityEdge non-touch screen with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a 14.5-inch 3K+ (3,200 x 2,000 pixels) InfinityEdge touch-enabled panel option. The model comes in variants of either an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H or an Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 165H paired with Intel Arc Graphics or Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. It supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X dual channel RAM and up to 4TB PCIe 4 SSD. It is backed by a 69.5Wh battery with support for 60W charging for the Intel graphics variant and 100W charging for the Nvidia GPU option.

Dell XPS 16 specifications

Finally, the Dell XPS 16 is available in options of a 16.3-inch full-HD+ (1,920 x 1,200 pixels) InfinityEdge non-touch panel with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a 16.3-inch 4K+ (3,840 x 2,400 pixels) InfinityEdge touch display with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. The CPU variants offered with this model are – Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H, Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 165H, and Intel Core Ultra 9. The chipsets can be paired with an Intel Arc Graphics, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, a GeForce RTX 4060, or a GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. The laptop supports up to 64GB of LPDDR5X dual channel RAM and up to 4TB PCIe 4 SSD. It packs a 99.5Wh battery with 130W charging support.

2024 is finally here, and that means a lot of new video games to look forward to! While 2023 delivered big on games, this year is likely to be quieter. But that doesn’t mean that 2024 doesn’t have a lineup of interesting titles. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is the first that comes to mind, as Cloud and the gang journey out of Midgar and explore expansive environments riding atop their Chocobos. Or you could sail into the Indian Ocean and live out your pirate fantasy in the much-delayed Skull and Bones, don the outfits of DC Comics supervillains to kill the Justice League, take on deadly irradiated anomalies in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, and get lost in the hustle and bustle of Hawaii in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth.

Elsewhere 2024 serves as home to some returning franchises, from a Hades sequel focused on the Princess of the Underworld, to Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, finally coming with new developers at the helm, and three remakes of timeless classics — Persona 3 Reload, Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater, and Silent Hill 2. Then there’s Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws, where you ping-pong across the galaxy to pull off the biggest heist, while Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has you explore the puzzling tunnels of Mount Qaf using time-bending powers. A chunk of these titles don’t even have proper release dates but are scheduled for or expected to launch sometime this year.

With that, here are the games we’re most excited to play on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series S/X in 2024.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Release date: January 18, 2024

Prince of Persia is returning to its side-scrolling platformer roots, plunging you into Mount Qaf, an interwoven world filled with puzzles and spiky obstacles looking to mar your progress. The Lost Crown puts you in control of Sargon the Immortal, a young dual-wielding warrior tasked with saving the abducted Prince Ghassan by harnessing new-found time powers and engaging in flashy cinematic battles against mythological beasts. It drops on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch consoles.

The Last of Us Part II Remastered

Release date: January 19, 2024

Naughty Dog is remastering the fairly modern The Last of Us Part II for the PS5, boasting tech improvements such as unlocked framerates and a native 4K output. While the game already received a next-gen update in 2021, this new version adds a few game modes into the mix, starting with a roguelite mode that has you play as familiar characters from the post-apocalyptic series and engage in randomised encounters with the Infected, clickers, survivors, and more. Remember that each death takes you back to the starting point, though repeated runs can benefit from modifiers.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Release date: January 24, 2024

Yakuza fans are in for a treat this year as RGG Studio’s upcoming Like a Dragon title not only ventures outside its primary Japanese setting but also features two familiar protagonists — a much-awaited team-up between the afro-haired Kasuga Ichiban and the weary Kazuma Kiryu. This time, we’re headed to the exotic tourist spot of Hawaii, Honolulu City, flush with sun-baked beaches and shorelines, hotspots for arcade gaming, souvenir shops, and some downtrodden areas where you can deal with the local mafia. The combat continues to remain turn-based and soulful Karaoke sessions also return in Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, launching across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.

Tekken 8

Release date: January 26, 2024

Having defeated his father, Heihachi Mishima, the spiky-haired Kazuya embarks on a quest for world domination powered by his cutting-edge biotech company G Corporation. Wanting to end the global war is his son Jin Kazama, having reunited with his biological mother Jun, who was presumed dead in Tekken 2. Built from the ground up on Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 brings a new ‘Heat System’ mechanic that can grant characters special movements and enhance their abilities through flashy and aggressive means. This is all adding to the redesigned fighters and high-fidelity new-gen graphics, of course.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Release date: February 2, 2024

Join the newly recruited Task Force X — composed of volatile misfits Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, and King Shark — to take on the impossible mission of killing members of the Justice League, who’ve fallen prey to the Brainiac’s mind control. Engage in high-octane battles across the sprawling streets and rooftops of Metropolis using the weapons you have on hand or raw skills tailored to each supervillain (or heroes, in this case), from bombs that pop confetti to boomerangs that help you teleport across the arena. Rocksteady’s superhero looter-shooter is playable in both solo and multiplayer co-op and will be out on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Persona 3 Reload

Release date: February 2, 2024

After years of speculation, the Persona 3 remake is finally headed to modern platforms, putting you in the shoes of a transfer student moonlighting as a hero to investigate the ‘Dark Hour’, the period hidden between one day and the next. Expect refined visuals and smoother gameplay mechanics that mirror the newer entries, as you forge relationships at your school and take on part-time jobs to fill out your day. Persona 3 Reload, however, misses one crucial element from the original — it excludes the ability to play as a female protagonist, which would’ve opened up a whole new storyline.

Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash

Release date: February 2, 2024

2023 was an excellent year for fighting games, with Street Fighter 6 and Mortal Kombat 1 providing plenty of kicks to their legion of fans. This year promises some exciting entries in the genre, too. Tekken 8 is arriving this month, and Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash, Bandai Namco’s adaptation of the popular anime, is set to hit the shelves next month.

Developed by Byking and Gemdrops, Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash will focus on the events from the first season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, with the game’s single-player story putting players in the shoes of series protagonist Yuji Itadori. The game will feature 15 playable fighters in its roster, as players take on cursed spirits. You can also form teams of two fighters and take part in 2v2 battles. Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash releases February 2, a day after its launch in Japan, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X and Nintendo Switch.

Helldivers 2

Release date: February 8, 2024

Enlist in the Helldivers, the galaxy’s last line of defence, and combat alien forces by either taking them head-on, raining down artillery, or sneaking into the enemy territory to catch them by surprise. The sequel forgoes its storied top-down presentation for a third-person shooter affair, as you pair up with three recruits and unload large-scale destructive power, collect resources for upgrades, and explore vast terrains to unravel the larger lore.

Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden

Release date: February 13, 2024

Developed by Don’t Nod, a studio known for its narrative-focused Life is Strange series of games, Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is an upcoming third-person action RPG, where players take on the roles of a couple of spirit hunters. The ghost-hunting couple, Antea and Red, is tasked with investigating a curse that has fallen upon the community of New Eden.

But when a case goes wrong, Antea dies leaving Red grieving her loss. Unable to move on to the next realm, she returns as a spirit to aid her partner in ghostly adventures that lie ahead. The two Banishers, with their distinct abilities, must take on the realms of the living and that of the dead to uncover haunting mysteries. Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden arrives February 13 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Release date: February 16, 2024

In this remake of a 2004 classic, the scheming Donkey Kong has stolen all the mini-Mario toys from the factory, forcing our titular Italian plumber into a wild goose chase across green pipes, goombas, and puzzling obstacles that force you to think outside the box. In addition to standard hops, Mario is equipped with backflips and handstand jumps that help him reach higher areas and clear stages, culminating in a boss fight with the tie-donning loudmouthed gorilla. Mario vs. Donkey Kong also comes with a local co-op feature when it releases exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.

Skull and Bones

Release date: February 16, 2024

After numerous delays, Ubisoft’s naval combat game that has you pillage your way from an outcast to a pirate captain, while besting traitors and enemies in the furious waves of the ocean, is finally coming this year. Sail with your friends or be everyone’s foe when the game launches across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X; pre-order grants three-day early access.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Release date: February 28, 2024

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, the acclaimed 2013 adventure title that explored the relationship between two brothers through innovative gameplay and an evocative story, is getting a remake. Publishers 505 Games announced the remake for current-gen consoles and PC at The Game Awards 2023, though it’s not clear if the original game director, Josef Fares, will return for the development.

The remake promises upgraded visuals and many quality-of-life changes to the original game while telling the same emotional tale of two brothers undertaking a surreal adventure. Players take control of the two brothers, completing puzzles and platforming in tandem and utilising the unique skill sets of each character. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake arrives February 28 on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X.

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Release date: February 29, 2024

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth picks up right after Cloud and his gang leave the towering walls of Midgar, arriving at the mining village of Kalm, lush with greenery and blooming flowers. While our silver-haired antagonist Sephiroth returns with a vengeance, it seems Square Enix will mess with the original FF7’s timeline to incorporate new story beats, including a small segment of him frolicking in the woods with our heroes. Also, the crimson lion-looking creature Red XIII is available as a playable party member in this sequel. Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth is a PS5-exclusive.

Alone in the Dark

Release date: March 20, 2024

Blending gothic horror with Lovecraftian themes, Alone in the Dark puts you amidst a twisted mystery at the Derceto Mansion, where Jeremy Hartwood went missing after sending out a disturbing letter. Play as either the brooding detective Edward Carnby (David Harbour) or the family niece Emily Hartwood (Jodie Comer) and take on bizarre zombie-like creatures and giant roaches in pursuit of the truth, in addition to solving elaborate puzzles Resident Evil style. This reboot was initially set for an October 2023 release but got delayed into the next year to avoid conflicting with an already busy autumn calendar.

Dragon’s Dogma 2

Release date: March 22, 2024

Set forth on a grand new adventure as the Arisen, a warrior who is destined to slay the dragon residing in an underground gaol and claim the throne in a fantastical experience that’s entirely determined by what class you pick. A group of Pawns — otherworldly beings — will accompany us on the journey, aiding us during combat and presenting unique dialogue options that keep things lively. Judging by the trailers, playing as a sorcerer seems to have the most potential, letting you create bridges out of water and rain down fiery meteors.

Rise of the Ronin

Release date: March 22, 2024

From the creators of Nioh comes Rise of the Ronin, where you venture on an epic journey across 19th-century Japan that has fallen into a state of turmoil. As a nameless warrior, glide through the skies or explore the plains naturally on a steed, and reshape history by working with real-life historical legends like Ryōma Sakamoto, with consequences that contort based on the choices you make. Play around with a variety of swords and spears, deflect incoming arrows, or imbue armaments with fire to deal hefty damage. This one is a PS5 exclusive, too.

Princess Peach: Showtime!

Release date: March 22, 2024

Princess Peach’s trip to the Sparkle Theatre is interrupted by the conniving Grape and the Sour Bunch, who steal the show and turn the venue into a creepy affair. Accompanied by the theatre’s floating guardian Stella, players must face off against oncoming enemies using a magical ribbon, in addition to transforming into a swordfighter, allowing her to slice through obstacles. During downtime, she could also take on a detective form to track down clues, turn into a pastry chef, or become a Kung-Fu master to unload kicks and slaps.

Destiny 2: The Final Shape

Release date: June 2, 2024

The latest DLC for Bungie’s live-service shooter takes the campaign to a new free-roam location called the Pale Heart, setting up a conflict against The Witness in an epic conclusion that ends the war of light and darkness. The expansion also introduces three new Super abilities, from blades hones by the void, a Storm’s Edge dagger, and Song of Flame that lets you buff weapons and allies. Destiny 2: The Final Shape will be out on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox systems.

Black Myth: Wukong

Release date: August 20, 2024

Step into a dark fantastical realm of ancient China as the Destined One and engage in epic punishing boss fights against fairies, colossal monsters, and cowardly gods to uncover an obscured tale drawing from ‘Journey to the West’. Experiment with spells, weapon arts, and bodily transformations such as turning into a tiny insect to scout locations or sending in a hundred clones to overwhelm opponents. Black Myth: Wukong is confirmed for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

Release date: September 9, 2024

Captain Titus returns as the brutal Primaris Space Marine in this Warhammer sequel to put an end to the relentless Tyranid hordes, a swarm of deadly xenomorphs, across several planets. Team up with your friends to obliterate the aliens while talking smack or engage in a solo affair where your teammates are controlled by AI. Originally set to release in 2023, Space Marine 2 was delayed to ensure further polish and will be out on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Broken Roads

Release date: First half of 2024

Delve into the decaying Australian outbacks and experience a wild west post-apocalyptic journey tailored by compelling characters and quests that contort and branch into something wild. Drawing from tabletop CRPGs like Disco Elysium and Fallout, Broken Roads also brings in a morality system governed by a compass, which continuously shifts based on the choices the player character makes — going from utilitarian, humanist, Machiavellian, and nihilist views to create a unique identity.

Hades 2

Release date: Q2 2024 (Early Access)

Just like the original, Supergiant Games will first drop Hades II in early access, allowing players to test the waters and share relevant feedback. The sequel has you play as the sickle-wielding Princess of Hell Melinoë — Zagreus’ sister — as she’s forced into realms that lie beyond the Underworld to vanquish the Titan of Time Chronos. Witchcraft and magic attacks seem to be the core here, in addition to the boons you collect on each run and the legendary cast of new and returning Greek Gods, ranging from Moros doom incarnate, the god of light Apollo, and Nemesis retribution incarnate. Hades 2 will be available in early access in Q2 2024 on Steam and Epic Games Store.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl

Release date: First half of 2024

The long-awaited entry in the acclaimed S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person shooter survival horror title, much like the Metro series of games. The game is being built on Unreal Engine 5 and gameplay trailers have showcased immersive visuals. Players will take on deadly anomalies and other threats inside the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. The developers have promised that player choices will leave a lasting impact on the game world.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has been delayed due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian developers GSC Game World, however, have continued development on the title under gruelling circumstances, with many team members even joining the Ukrainian armed forces to resist the invasion. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is set to arrive as an Xbox Series S/X and PC exclusive in Q1 2024 and is planned to be a launch title on Xbox Game Pass.

Hyper Light Breaker

Release date: Early 2024 (Early Access)

Sequel to the acclaimed 2D action title Hyper Light Drifter from developers Heart Machine, Hyper Light Breaker blows up the scope by going full 3D open world. Sticking to its frenetic action roots, Hyper Light Breaker will feature melee and ranged combat in a roguelite setting. While the first game showed off retro pixel art visuals, the sequel features a colourful cell-shaded art style, with the same synth-wave beats underlining the action.

There’s a focus on smooth traversal using hoverboards and gliders as players explore the Overgrowth. The game also features online co-op, allowing you to team up with friends, experiment with different builds and take down regional bosses to finally face up to the Abyss King. Hyper Light Breaker arrives in Early Access on PC sometime early this year.

Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

Konami is bringing a ‘faithful recreation’ of Hideo Kojima’s acclaimed stealth game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which also served as the origins story for protagonist Naked Snake. In it, the operative is assigned on a one-man sneaky mission to rescue a Russian weapon designer Nikolai Stepanovich Sokolov and sabotage an experimental, tank-like superweapon called the Shagohod. Much of the gameplay is situated around forests and swamps, forcing you to rely on camouflage and engage in a hand-to-hand combat system called CQC. It is being developed using Unreal Engine 5.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Officially Announced

Silent Hill 2

James Sunderland is once again plunged into the foggy and disturbing town of Silent Hill to find his deceased wife, who seems to have sent him a mysterious letter. This remake of a timeless classic comes from Bloober Team, which is a warning sign for many since the developer is known for treating trauma in a distasteful way to compensate for weak character writing. Silent Hill 2 will also be presented with an over-the-shoulder camera view, which the studio claims is supposed to help with immersion.

The Wolf Among Us 2

The ruthless Bigby Wolf is returning to the gritty noir New York City to solve a new mystery that involves the fables, specifically Tin-Man and Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz. Picking up six months after the events of season one, the Sheriff of Fabletown survives winter under a whole new administration spearheaded by Snow White, at a time when the worlds of the Mundies (humans) and Fables (fairy tale characters) have started to intertwine. The Wolf Among Us 2 launches across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.

Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2

After spending years shuffling between studios, The Chinese Room finally took on development duties on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines 2, set in modern-day Seattle, as you trudge along its dark alleyways as an Elder Vampire and strike relationships with power players to decide what the town will become. Just like the prequel, blood will be your key to sustenance and powers, as we stalk our prey cunningly, charm our way into high societies, or rain terror by leveraging special abilities such as summoning bat swarms, teleportation, and heightened agility to traverse the map with ease.

Star Wars Outlaws

Set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Star Wars Outlaws follows Kay Vess, a cunning space scoundrel with a bounty on her head, who is on a mission to pull off the biggest heist in the galaxy with the help of some friends from the intergalactic underworld. Take on risky contracts and interact with crime syndicates to gradually build up your reputation; all the while exploring the vast outer space and terrains to chase new adventures. There are no Jedi powers at play here, so brush up your aim with your trusty blaster and other weapons you find in the open world.

Stellar Blade

Devil May Cry fans who’ve been itching for another adrenaline-fueled action game can look forward to Stellar Blade, coming sometime this year, exclusively to the PS5. In it, you’re tasked with saving humanity — which is in deep slumber — from extinction by reclaiming planet Earth from the monstrous NA:tives. Trailers have showed off a lightning-fast combat system involving swords to slice past enemies and a unique blaster that seems to function like an EMP.

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II

We wish we knew more about this Nordic sequel beyond its jaw-dropping new setting of Viking Iceland, where our protagonist Senua is headed next to free those who’ve succumbed to the horrors of tyranny. Hellblade II promises to be more brutal that its predecessor and will be laden with puzzles exhibited through psychotic visions — all of which is built using Unreal Engine 5 for that extra oomph in the graphics department. It launches on PC and Xbox Series S/X.

The Biggest Announcements and Trailers at The Game Awards 2023

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage follows a group of four schoolgoers — Swann, Nora, Autumn, and Kat — who after a traumatic supernatural event in the summer of 1995, are forced into reuniting after a whopping 27 years of not keeping in touch. It’s a narrative-focused adventure centring around a long-buried secret, with an art style that might be quite familiar to those who’ve played Life is Strange. It’s the same developers, after all, Don’t Nod.

Ark 2

Learn to survive in a strange primitive land dominated by dinosaurs in Ark 2. This sequel has been completely redesigned with an improved third-person camera view, souls-like melee combat, and a chaotic new environment. Dynamic world events and a sensory-based creature AI make exploring the world even more challenging than before, and supposedly, the campaign will see Vin Diesel reprise his iconic role of Riddick. The dino-hunting survival experience will launch across PC, Xbox Series S/X, and Xbox Game Pass.