Adventure News, Tips, Tricks & Ideas

Hades 2's final boss battle has an unexpected easter egg that stops you from pausing the game, with an incantation even becoming available later that stops a certain big bad from messing with you.

Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE+ will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam on October 1 in the west for $59.99 / €59.99 / £54.99, Spike Chunsoft announced. In Japan, the game will launch as previously announced on July 18 for 6,350 yen.

Retro dungeon maker Quest Master will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam and Epic Games Store on May 29, publisher Apogee Entertainment and developer Skydevilpalm announced.

Nintendo has announced Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition, a new game coming out this July that tests players’ speedrunning skills in NES classics like Super Mario Bros. and Metroid.

Independent studios continue to create innovative, expressive video games across all genres. You may not have missed the surprise, breakout hits from independent studioPalworld from Japanese studio Pocketpair, but there are plenty of games that may have slipped through the cracks. That’s what we’re here for.

Publisher PLAION and Pumpkin Jack developer Evil Raptor have announced Akimbot, an action adventure platformer set in a science-fiction world where only robots exist. It will launch for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC via Steam in 2024.

A Hollow Knight: Silksong release date has made its way online, but you're probably not going to like it.

Amazon is currently discounting a handsome collection of core curriculum and supplementary adventures for Dungeons & Dragons. Whether you’re trying to rope your friends into your next tabletop session or need an ample supply of one-shot adventures to kill time while we all wait for D&D’s revised fifth edition, you’ll want to check out this modest selection of discounted tomes.

For a game of Dungeons & Dragons you really only need a few things: some dice, the barest idea of a possible encounter, and a few other people with characters in-hand. So when I’m coming to the game’s publisher, Wizards of the Coast, for one of their campaigns I’m expecting quite a lot for my dollar — an excellent hook, for starters, but also a lengthy experience with lots of extras to pull my players in.

Vecna: Eve of Ruin is unlike anything yet published for the modern incarnation of Dungeons & Dragons. The final campaign for the original 5th edition rule set begins at level 10, far higher than some other published adventures reach over the course of their entire run. It then proceeds to top out at the system’s hard level cap of 20. That much experience will convert you and your party into magically infused, professionally trained killing machines. Trust me when I say that there will be plenty of opportunities to put those skills to work.

The bountiful creations of the late Akira Toriyama are household names, but you won’t find any of his most well-known characters in Sand Land. His lesser-known graphic novel has remained a footnote when compared to Dragon Ball Z’s prodigious success, but it’s clear that someone out there thinks that now is Sand Land’s time, with the arrival of a movie, an animated series, and a video game adaptation, all in the last six months. This multi-format assault showcases that the genius of Akira Toriyama extended far beyond the Dragon Balls, and while it might have taken a long time coming, it was well worth the wait.

Publisher Spike Chunsoft and developer Too Kyo Games have announced Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE+ for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam). It will launch on July 18.

Songs of Travel is an animated graphic novel coming to Android on May 9th. It tells the stories of five migrants – Light, Vân, Michele, Hasan, and Olya – each on a journey to build a new life in Europe. Through their experiences, the game explores themes of hope, dreams, and what we hold dear.

Playing Kafka, a narrative adventure inspired by Franz Kafka’s life and works, will soon be available on Android devices! It lets you scour a universe influenced by three of Kafka’s most well-known pieces: The Trial, The Castle, and Letter to His Father.

Since our last content update, you have vanquished the darkness in the Legions of Horror limited-time event, beheld new Legendary Gems and new Legendary Affixes, and met a new Familiar. This content update introduces the Season 26 Battle Pass, a new limited-time Event, new Tower War season, a new Event Center cycle, and more.

In the vast open world of GTA 5, there are hidden treasures waiting to be discovered by intrepid players. Among these gems are six hidden vehicles that lend an element of thrill and exclusivity to your virtual journeys.

Usually, when I recommend a game, I try to give as comprehensive an overview of it as I can. I know that it’s hard to get players to commit time and money to something sight unseen. But with Indika, I’m tempted to say nothing at all. It’s something you should experience for yourself. If that’s enough to intrigue you, you can stop reading here and head on over to Steam.

You can get me to do a lot of things if you just toss a collectible card system into it. The rush of opening a pack, or the satisfaction of browsing dozens of card illustrations, and the thrill of discovering a brand new card could make even doing your taxes entertaining. Whether it’s in a physical card game or a genre-bending video game, card collecting is always a delight. So I was pretty excited when I saw Dungeon Drafters, a game seemingly blending all the best parts of turn-based roguelikes and Mystery Dungeon thrills with a robust card system.

First-person survival adventure game Serum will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam on May 23, publisher TopLitz Productions and developer Game Island announced.

Another weekend is upon us, and you’re probably looking for some games to kill time with over the course of it. We’re in a bit of a lull right now ahead of a flurry of releases starting next week, so it’s a great time to dip back into the Xbox Game Pass catalog and check out some games that you may have missed. There are three games in particular that I think you should check out this weekend if you’re looking for something to play.

PlayStation Plus Premium and Extra have been around for almost two years, and during that time the subscription service has established itself as an ample competitor to Xbox Game Pass. That means there is a wealth of great games for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners to check out if they’re looking for something to play this weekend. I think PS Plus subscribers should be looking toward some of the more underrated games in the subscription service this weekend too.

Ambrane launches its latest power innovation – the PowerHub 300, boasting a whopping 90,000mAh capacity. Tailored for outdoor adventures and everyday emergencies, this power station promises reliable charging for a variety of devices, from smartphones to mini-fridges. Priced at Rs. 21999, it comes with a 365-day warranty and is available for purchase on Amazon, Flipkart, and Ambrane's official website.

Whereas most FromSoftware received two DLCs, Elden Ring will only get Shadow of the Erdtree, FromSoftware president and Game Director Hidetaka Miyazaki confirmed to the Chinese website Campfire Camp, thus effectively denying previous rumors of a second expansion slated for 2025.

Single-player 3D platformer RKGK / Rakugaki will launch for PC via Steam on May 22 for $19.99, Gearbox Publishing and developer Wabisabi Games announced.

April saw a lot of action and big boss fights. From the depths of the sea to the far reaches of space, what thrilling adventure was your top pick?

Update: Sucker Punch says it's put a stop to the freezing problem that's been plaguing Ghost of Tsushima since the release of its latest update. Patch 2.19 adds support for crossplay, but after installing it, players were quick to report a stuttering and hitching issue that occurred frequently during gameplay. For some, it was so bad that the title basically became unplayable, across both the single-player adventure and the Legends co-op mode.

The highly rated co-op adventure that is Sea of Thieves has arrived on PS5, marking developer Rare's first ever release on PlayStation platforms, if you can believe it. The game first launched for Xbox One and PC back in 2018, and it's been heavily updated over the years, to the point where it's managed to maintain a very healthy community.

FromSoftware boss Hidetaka Miyazaki has confirmed that Shadow of the Erdtree will be the only expansion released for beloved role-playing game Elden Ring.

Cozy Caravan, a single-player top-down adventure game set in a cozy world, will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam on May 16, developer 5 Lives Studios announced.

There’s a hot new RPG on Android, and it’s called Royal Revolt: A Trader’s Tale. This new game is now up for grabs on Android. If the name rings a bell, that’s because it’s based on the hit IP Royal Revolt. Yes, it’s developed by Upright Games who also created Royal Revolt II and Olympus Rising.

Sony has signaled its intention to pull Horizon: Zero Dawn from PlayStation Plus later in May, fueling rumors the company is set to announce a PlayStation 5 remaster of the game.

World of Warcraft speedrunner and Vanilla WoW World Recold holder Joana, also known as FuriousPaul, passed away yesterday, as confirmed by a family member and the Twitter/X account of TomCatsTours. Back in January 2006, Joana fully recorded his sixth Level 1-60 speedrun on the Jubei'Thos server with a total playtime of 4 days and 20 hours — an astonishing record that was bound to last for over a decade.

The endearing game about development and discovery, Paper Trail, will be available on Netflix on May 21. The secret is that to start this folded-paper adventure, you’ll need a Netflix account.

The bad news? It’s the beginning of the month, so rent is due. The good news? Sony just revealed the PlayStation Plus games lineup for May, and there are some serious standouts. The lineup includes Ghostrunner 2, Tunic, Destiny 2: Lightfall and EA Sports FC 24. Most of these games are available for both PS4 and PS5, except Ghostrunner 2 which is only for PS5 players.

Greetings, Adventurers!

MediaCity Games has dropped a new brain-tickler called Atomic Escape. It’s a space-age point-and-click game set in a retro sci-fi world. It’s out on Android for $1.99. In case you don’t know, MediaCity Games has dropped games that show their knack for puzzle adventures. Their lineup includes Escape from Crimson Manor Ep.1, Alice Beyond Wonderland, The Ghost Town Treasure and The Lost Fountain.

If you’ve been eyeing to dive into the eerie adventure of Little Nightmares, now might be the time to do so. The game’s price has taken a nosedive, dropping from $8.99 to a mere $5.99 on the Play Store. Want to know more about the Little Nightmares price drop? Keep reading!

Stellar Blade is looking to be a smash hit for developer Shift Up and PlayStation, having successfully convinced enough people to pick up and play Eve's maiden adventure. Despite having an interesting world and fluid combat, you can't say it's unfair to assume that one of the big draws for some people is Eve herself, with her body and raunchy outfits making up 99 percent of the games pre and post-launch discourse.

You’ve toppled the undead armies of the Lich King and ended Arthas' reign. Now, Deathwing, The Worldbreaker, bursts from the heart of the Maelstrom, unleashing his rage. Reignite the fire and help usher in a new Azeroth. 

Looking to snag some charcter boosts, faction transfers, or name changes in WoW Classic? Now's the time, with select services up to 33% off until May 7th! Blizzard has announced a sale on Character Boosts, Transfer Packs, Faction Changes, Name Changes, and Race Changes — so make sure you're all squared away before the official launch of Cataclysm Classic on May 20th.

For a limited time, experience life on the other side in World of Warcraft® Classic Progression realms by making the most out of up to 33% off select game services through May 7.

Pine Hearts has been given a release date of May 23rd by Hyper Luminal Games, and there is also confirmation the game will be on both PC and Switch. Previously, Pine Hearts was only destined for PC.In the game, players play as the character Tyke who will wander the world making friends, helping them solve problems, and just chill out too.

Publisher Daedalic Entertainment and developer Tiny Roar have announced cozy exploration game Into the Emberlands. It will launch in Early Access for PC via Steam this summer.

Cozy narrative adventure game Pine Hearts will launch for Switch and PC via Steam on May 23 for $19.99 / £15.99, publisher Little Nook and developer Hyper Luminal Games announced. The Switch version is newly announced.

Microsoft unveiled the batch of games coming to Xbox Game Pass throughout the first half of May. It’s a smaller group of only four games, but all of them are neat additions to Microsoft’s subscription service. Here’s the full roster of games coming to Xbox Game Pass between May 2 and May 14.

Microsoft has announced the first wave of games coming to Game Pass in May 2024. Highlights include Little Kitty Big City, Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.

Kaizen Game Works, the studio behind the cracking detective adventure Paradise Killer, has just revealed its second game, and it looks every bit as bizarrely intriguing. Titled Promise Mascot Agency, this unique indie title is heading to PS5 and PS4 in 2025, and based on the debut trailer we're so on board.

Don't Nod has shared a fresh look at its next narrative adventure, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage. Releasing for PS5 at the end of this year, it looks to capture the feel of the mid-1990s as four friends spend the summer break together in Velvet Cove. Check out the lo-fi trailer above for more context.

Microids has announced The Smurfs: Dreams, another 3D platformer starring the small Belgian blue folks. Coming to both PS5 and PS4 later this year, the game is giving off strong Super Mario 3D World/Sackboy: A Big Adventure energy, as you can see in the announcement trailer above.

Attention all raiders, rovers, freebooters, buccaneers, corsairs, and scallywags! Today is the final day of Plunderstorm, with roughly 14 hours left to finish farming renown before the limited-time event leaves our shores! Luckily, even if you haven't reached Renown 40 and unlocked the full list of rewards yet, all renown is still doubled throughout the final hours of the Plundersurge, until the event ends with tomorrow's weekly reset. Note that because Plunderstorm is separate from the regular game servers, it is likely to shut down tomorrow for other regions as well, rather than with their own weekly resets. Although the event is leaving for fairer seas, it isn't necessarily gone for good. In an interview with IGN, Warcraft General Manager John Hight discussed the possibilities of bringing the event back or evolving the technology into future events.

DON’T NOD has released a new trailer for Lost Records: Bloom & Rage dubbed “Lo-Fi Summer.”

Publisher Serenity Forge and developer Hack The Publisher have announced Centum, an “unreliable narrative-driven adventure” game for Xbox Series and PC (Steam). It will launch this summer.

The special reward for completing the Traveler's Log for May 2024 is the Wings of the Amber Monarch transmog.

A variety of new items are flowering in this month’s Trading Post. Embrace the spirit of spring when you gild your back with the Wings of the Amber Monarch.

New week, new videogames! When will it end, etc. There aren't many obvious headliners out in the next few days, but there are a lot of tantalisingly bleak games. Let's see here, we've got a survival shooter that's essentially set in Black Mesa, a sardonical adventure about questing Russian Orthodox nuns, a game about running the company that starts the zombie apocalypse, and a cosy village grower with an atypical emphasis on disease and death. Lovely!

Some Kingdom Hearts fans are only just burdened with the knowledge of a creepy animation error from Kingdom Hearts 2's ending that shows Riku with an incredibly long thumb.

In 2024, GTA 5 fans can now add a touch of Minecraft to their gaming experience with some cool mods. Even though Rockstar Games and Mojang might not officially team up, these mods let players blend the worlds of GTA and Minecraft for some fresh fun.

In a year overflowing with great-looking Metroidvanias, Minishoot' Adventures popped out to me for the sheer oddity and novelty of its premise. It's a top-down twin-stick shooter where you play as a small spaceship in a bright, colorful world under attack from a shadowy villain called the Unchosen. And I do mean you play as a spaceship, not someone piloting a spaceship, which really adds to the charm of the world. I've only played the opening act, but it's officially my next weekend game, because it's immediately clear why it's been so well-received on Steam, with over 1,500 97% positive user reviews at the time of writing. 

The various worlds making up have both inspired and been inspired by a massive library of excellent book series, with the best of them leaving an inarguable legacy on the franchise. Part of the joy of the world's most popular tabletop roleplaying game is the ability to forge uniqueunofficial settings in , creating a new story from scratch. But for many, staying within the familiar territory of pre-established lore is a much more comfortable prospect, and plenty of book series delve into these fantasy worlds.

Modern technology has opened up new avenues for entertainment, and large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Gemini are leading the way. These AI marvels have the ability to engage in natural conversations, offering not just productivity assistance but also delightful gaming experiences.

PlayStation 5 owners who are looking for the next game to play or are searching for titles to add to their collection should check out the offers in Best Buy’s PS5 game sale. With games that span across all genres and prices that start at $10, you wouldn’t want to miss the bargains here, and we’ve picked out our favorites to help you make a quick decision on what to buy. Feel free to browse through the dozens of PS5 games that are available in the sale, but you’ll still have to act fast because there’s no telling until when these discounts will stay online.

Greetings, Polygon readers! Each week, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.

Even after beating the base game, still has a lot to offer for those who aren't ready to say goodbye to the world of Hyrule. Often considered one of the best games of all time, the action and adventure of the first-ever 3D title have inspired many titles since its release. Even after Ganon's defeat, there are still many activities you can pursue.

Another Crab’s Treasure no doubt looks like a kid-friendly game, but hiding beneath its charming and cute exterior is a challenging soulslike experience that can test the mettle of genre veterans. Those who either can’t or don’t want to engage with such intense difficulty throughout this underwater adventure can make great use of a variety of assists. Among these is a rather shocking, but hilarious option that can completely negate nearly all of the game’s challenge while providing some laughs along the way. Here’s how to get a gun in Another Crab’s Treasure.

Devsisters is back with yet another Cookie game. This time, it’s CookieRun: Tower of Adventures. The game is now up for pre-registration on Android and iOS. Previously called ‘Project B,’ it’s expected to drop on June 6th, 2024.

With the pre-expansion content update, players will experience a changed landscape in both Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms. Players will be able to embark on new quests from level 1-60 in these transformed territories as well as begin their journey as one of the new goblin or worgen races.

Roguelite deduction adventure game The Detective Reaper Invites will launch for PC via Steam on May 25 for $9.99, publisher PLAYISM and developer Shizu Kano Umi announced. It will support English, Japanese, Traditional and Simplified Chinese language options.

Fingersoft’s LEGO Hill Climb Adventures combines the crazy physics-based fun of the Hill Climb Racing series! It’s got the endless possibilities of LEGO bricks and is finally available for pre-registration.

GSC Game World has published a new trailer for STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Titled 'Not a Paradise', the trailer shows off the game's gorgeous Unreal Engine 5-powered visuals as well as the Ukrainian voiceover, the only one available in the full game alongside English.

Playing through to the credits in can take a while, but anyone particularly enraptured with the game might want to keep the adventure going after the ending. tells the story of a futuristic soldier named Eve working to retake a ruined Earth, a task that requires fighting plenty of hostile creatures with uniquely challenging attacks to parry and overcome. It can be tempting to rush through to keep the focus on the action, but there's also an appeal in ferreting out secrets in its harsh world.

The co-creators of BAFTA-winning Before Your Eyes have created a new studio called Nice Dream Games.

The Wolf Among Us 2 is the eagerly anticipated sequel to one of Telltale's most beloved games, but news of the endeavour has been surprisingly scarce. Last we heard, the game had been delayed and would not be released in 2023. Thankfully, a familiar face has kept the flame of hope alive.

The roguelike RPG Loop Hero will launch on mobile devices on April 30th, 2024. Conquer a constantly shifting world and rewrite a shattered reality, all from the comfort of your phone.

You’ve toppled the undead armies of the Lich King and ended Arthas' reign. Now, Deathwing, The Worldbreaker, bursts from the heart of the Maelstrom, unleashing his rage. Reignite the fire and help usher in a new Azeroth. 

Blizzard has released a blog, detailing all of the new content coming to WoW Classic in the Cataclysm Pre-Patch, including the new Races, new leveling experience, and a list of all of the new Race/Class combinations! Cataclysm Classic Pre-Patch Overview Guide New Race and Class Combinations — Cataclysm Classic

With today's The War Within Alpha build, the new Earthen Allied Race is now available for testing! Be sure to check out all of the datamined information on Earthen below including customizations, racials, heritage armor, and more! Earthen Customization PreviewEarthen Info — Racials, Heritage Armor, Pally Mount

Blizzard has released a blog post with details on leveling in Cataclysm Classic! Explore reworked Classic zones, questlines, and more in the wake of Deathwing's destruction — Azeroth will never be the same.

Publisher PM Studios and developer Half Human Games will release tower defense dungeon crawler RPG Dwerve for PlayStation 5 on August 1 alongside a physical edition for PlayStation 5 and Switch, the companies announced.