Previews & First Impressions
75 storiesEvidence-led articles connect confirmed sources and observed play with preview build identity, Early Access and session constraint. Unfinished asset caveat and platform test unit provide further context for comparing approaches, consequences and player expectations. Specific claims belong to the relevant child page, with Previews & First Impressions reserved for the broader relationship between those subjects.
State of Decay 3 Preview Shows Progress Amid Xbox Studio Changes
State of Decay 3 has resurfaced with a promising early alpha demo, revealing expanded community management and improved combat, as Undead Labs navigates ownership changes and prepares for a 2027 release on Xbox, PlayStation 5 and PC
NBA 2K27's New Features Highlight Persistent Microtransaction Issues
NBA 2K27 introduces gameplay tweaks and new modes, but early impressions suggest that longstanding concerns around microtransactions and progression remain unresolved, raising questions about the direction of the series
Bohemia Interactive Reveals New Games and Expansions at Gamescom 2026
Bohemia Interactive has presented a range of upcoming titles and major updates at Gamescom 2026, including new details on Cosmo Tales, DayZ Badlands, Everwind, and Nailcrown, with hands-on demos and future plans outlined
GTA 6 Extended Look Reveals Range of Side Activities for Players
Rockstar has released nearly 30 minutes of Grand Theft Auto 6 footage, offering a closer look at the variety of side activities players can expect beyond the main missions, from rally racing to base-jumping and more
GTA 6 Extended Look Reveals Major Visual and Gameplay Advances
Rockstar Games has released an Extended Look at Grand Theft Auto 6, showcasing new gameplay footage and technical improvements ahead of its November 2026 launch. The presentation highlights lighting, interface changes and attention to detail
Rockstar Details GTA 6's Satirical Approach and Character Focus
Rockstar has outlined how Grand Theft Auto VI will handle satire and character development, aiming for humour that remains relevant at launch and protagonists players can connect with
Fable's Combat Preview Reveals Spell Synergy and Humour at Gamescom 2026
Playground Games has showcased new Fable gameplay at Gamescom 2026, highlighting a flexible combat system that blends melee, ranged and magic abilities. The preview also demonstrates the series' trademark humour and experimental spell combinations
Cutout Announced by 906 Games and Big Blue Sky Games at gamescom 2026
906 Games and Big Blue Sky Games have revealed Cutout, a side-scrolling action-horror adventure set in a handcrafted fairy tale world, during the Find Your Next Game showcase at gamescom 2026, with a demo available for attendees and a 2027 release planned
Modern Warfare 4 Open Beta Arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 This Weekend
Nintendo Switch 2 owners can now pre-order Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with the first-ever open beta for the platform available to play for free from 28 August to 1 September
Showa American Story Preview: Bizarre RPG Mixes Parody with Rough Combat
Showa American Story has resurfaced with a hands-on preview, revealing a retro-inspired RPG world packed with cultural parodies and eccentric humour, but also highlighting concerns about combat depth and mechanical polish ahead of release
Gears of War: E-Day Preview Reveals Classic Combat and New Features
Gears of War: E-Day has been previewed, offering a first look at its campaign structure, evolved combat mechanics and technical performance on Xbox Series X. Here's what's confirmed and what remains to be seen
1001 Threads of Mizan Preview: New Action-Adventure Blends Solo and Co-op Play
MBC Game Studio has revealed 1001 Threads of Mizan, an action-adventure inspired by One Thousand and One Nights, with a focus on both single-player and drop-in co-op gameplay. Early impressions highlight its unique setting and accessible combat system
Sea of Remnants Shows 10 Minutes of Gameplay and Reveals New Details
Joker Studios has released over 10 minutes of new Sea of Remnants gameplay, highlighting its roguelike structure, dice-based combat, and world-building ahead of its 2027 launch on PC, consoles, and mobile
4 Penny Coffins Playable at gamescom 2026 with Magistrate Mode Demo
Other Ocean Interactive has confirmed that 4 Penny Coffins will be playable at gamescom 2026, offering attendees a first look at its single-player Magistrate Mode and opportunities for community engagement
Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade Announced for Steam, Switch 2 and PS5
Clear River Games and City Connection have revealed Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade, a new hack 'n' slash action RPG inspired by 90s hip-hop and Japanese folklore, coming to Steam, Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5
Black Myth: Zhong Kui Trailer Reveals a More Grounded Direction
Game Science has released the first gameplay trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, signalling a shift from the epic scale of Black Myth: Wukong to a more grounded, character-driven approach. The footage suggests a focus on narrative and atmosphere over spectacle
Nautus Preview: Survival-Crafting Meets Undersea Exploration on a Tropical Island
Magic Design Studios has revealed Nautus, a survival-crafting adventure set on a tropical island with a strong focus on underwater exploration and community building. The game blends cosy surface life with Metroidvania-inspired submersible gameplay
Zork's Unusual Design in The Duskbloods Explained by Miyazaki
FromSoftware's The Duskbloods network test has sparked discussion around Zork, a character whose bizarre appearance and abilities have made him a standout. Director Hidetaka Miyazaki has now clarified the inspiration and gameplay role behind Zork
Control Resonant Preview Highlights New Abilities and Open World Structure
Remedy has revealed new details on Control Resonant, showcasing expanded melee combat, traversal abilities and open-world design in Manhattan, with a September 24 release date set for PC and consoles
My Dear Emma Demo Playable at gamescom 2026 in Cologne
Soulven has confirmed that My Dear Emma, its narrative-driven first-person adventure, will be available to play in demo form at gamescom 2026, with the team present in Hall 10.2 for hands-on sessions and direct discussion
Ukiyo Studios Brings Dead As Disco, Rain98 and More to Gamescom 2026
Ukiyo Studios has confirmed its return to gamescom 2026, showcasing a varied selection of indie games including Dead As Disco, Rain98, Dungeon Lurker and ANOMALITH at Hall 10.1, Booth F063, with hands-on demos available
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Brings New Matchmaking and Campaign Mission Access
Infinity Ward has detailed major changes for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, including a new matchmaking system and the first-ever inclusion of a campaign mission in the beta, as the studio responds to player feedback ahead of launch
Black Myth: Zhong Kui Gameplay Trailer Reveals New Combat and Protagonist
Game Science has released a 15-minute gameplay trailer for Black Myth: Zhong Kui, offering a detailed look at the new protagonist, combat mechanics and elemental abilities, but leaving release timing and platforms unconfirmed
Palettopia Puzzle Mode Playtest Opens on Steam for One Week
Oh Wow Games has launched a public playtest for Palettopia's new Puzzle Mode, running from 20 to 27 August on Steam. Players can try the city-building puzzle experience and provide feedback ahead of the game's full release
Silver Pines Channels '90s Survival Horror With Modern Indie Style
Wych Elm Games has revealed Silver Pines, a pixel-art survival horror adventure inspired by classics like Silent Hill and Alan Wake, with a demo highlighting its atmospheric visuals, resource scarcity and Lynchian narrative influences
HELLCARD II Steam Playtest Opens for PC Players with Four-Player Co-op
Skystone Games and Thing Trunk have launched the public Steam playtest for HELLCARD II, a cooperative roguelike deckbuilder for up to four players, offering early access to new features and tactical card battles ahead of release
Honeycomb: The World Beyond launches 8 September on PC, PS5 and Xbox
Frozen Way Studio and Snail Games USA have confirmed Honeycomb: The World Beyond will release on Steam, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles this September, with a playable demo arriving on Steam a week before launch
Stormforge Demo Arrives on Steam Ahead of PvE Survival Fest
Roboto Games has released the public demo for Stormforge, its upcoming fantasy survival crafting game, on Steam. Players can try out early content and features before the Early Access launch and the Steam PvE Survival Crafting Fest
Gamescom 2026 Schedule, Livestreams and Major Reveals Detailed
Gamescom returns to Cologne from 25-30 August 2026, with IGN providing live coverage, developer interviews, gameplay reveals and exclusive trailers. Here's what's confirmed for the event, how to watch, and which games are set to appear
Insomniac Responds as Marvel's Wolverine Faces Social Media Backlash
Insomniac Games has addressed the surge of negative reaction to Marvel's Wolverine on social media, arguing that algorithm-driven criticism does not reflect the wider player base ahead of the game's imminent PlayStation release
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Preview Highlights Expanded Co-op and Class Options
Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 has been previewed ahead of release, showcasing its expanded four-player co-op, deeper class customisation and a stronger narrative focus as players return to the Xenomorph-infested world of LV-558
Splatchinko brings cosmic pachinko roguelike action to Steam in 2026
Stupidi Pixel has announced Splatchinko, a pachinko-inspired roguelike with turn-based strategy elements, is coming to Steam later this year, blending cosmic narrative with physics-driven combat and procedural runs
Modern Warfare 4 Beta Adds Single-Player Mission for the First Time
Xbox has confirmed that the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 beta will, for the first time in series history, include a playable single-player campaign mission alongside its usual multiplayer content
The Watcher Announced for PC as Psychological Surveillance Sim
Indie studio Yesterday's Sandwich has revealed The Watcher, a psychological surveillance simulator set in a totalitarian city. The game is in development for PC, with its first trailer and screenshots now available for viewing
Control Resonant Boss Battle Footage Reveals Central Resonant Encounter
Remedy Entertainment has released new Control Resonant gameplay, showcasing a major boss fight against the Central Resonant and offering a closer look at the evolving threats within the game's corrupted New York setting
Marvel's Wolverine Preview: Combat, Story and Release Date Revealed
Insomniac has unveiled new details for Marvel's Wolverine, confirming a linear action structure, brutal combat and a September 15 PlayStation 5 release, but questions remain about long-term gameplay variety and narrative depth
Wardogs Preview: New Tactical FPS Impresses in Early Playtest
Wardogs, a large-scale tactical FPS from Bulkhead, has drawn strong early interest after a closed alpha playtest, with players highlighting its blend of accessible gunplay, team-driven mechanics and punishing respawn system
Fields of Mistria's 1.0 Update Expands Fantasy Farming Sim Ambitions
Fields of Mistria's full release brings a pastel pixel art world to life, blending classic farming mechanics with light RPG elements and a cast of villagers who interact beyond the player's presence
Control Resonant Reveals Metro Fault Mission and New Traversal Ability
Remedy Entertainment has unveiled new gameplay from Control Resonant, highlighting the Metro Fault mission and introducing the Reach traversal skill as part of IGN First's August coverage
Madden NFL 27 Preview: Persona Engine and Passing Overhaul Impress Early
EA Sports has released early impressions of Madden NFL 27, highlighting a reworked passing system and the new Persona Engine for Franchise mode, with initial feedback suggesting meaningful improvements over last year's entry
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