Resident Evil Requiem serves as the ninth mainline entry in the legendary survival horror franchise, marking a major milestone for its 30th anniversary. Set for release on February 27, 2026, the game is being developed for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, Windows, and the Nintendo Switch 2. This installment takes the series back to where it all began, returning to the post-nuclear ruins of Raccoon City approximately thirty years after the original incident.

The story introduces a dual-protagonist system that balances two distinct styles of gameplay. Players follow Grace Ashcroft, a technical analyst for the FBI and the daughter of Alyssa Ashcroft from Resident Evil Outbreak. Grace is investigating the mysterious Wrenwood Hotel, where her mother died years earlier. Joining her is the iconic veteran agent Leon S. Kennedy, who has been dispatched to the region to track down a former Umbrella scientist named Victor Gideon.

The game is designed to offer two very different experiences depending on which character is being controlled. Grace’s segments are heavily rooted in traditional survival horror, drawing inspiration from Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 7. Because Grace is an introverted bookworm with limited combat training, her gameplay focuses on stealth, evasion, and resource management. She must sneak through environments, hide under objects like tables, and use items like glass bottles to distract enemies. In a classic touch for longtime fans, playing as Grace on specific difficulty settings requires the use of ink ribbons to save the game.

Leon’s portions of the game lean into the action-driven style seen in Resident Evil 4. He is equipped for intense combat, utilizing a variety of firearms and a new tactical hatchet. This hatchet allows Leon to parry incoming attacks, pin enemies against walls, and perform powerful finishing moves. However, the weapon loses sharpness over time and must be maintained with whetstones. A notable addition to Leon’s combat is the ability to pick up and use weapons dropped by enemies, including chainsaws.

The enemies in Requiem present a terrifying evolution of the classic zombie. These creatures are not entirely mindless; they retain faint echoes of their former personalities and habits. Players might encounter a zombie chef attempting to work in a kitchen or a janitor endlessly polishing mirrors. This behavior adds an eerie layer to the atmosphere and provides tactical opportunities for players who observe their patterns. Additionally, the game features a crafting system where Grace must extract blood from infected enemies to create specialized injectors, some of which can prevent corpses from mutating into even more dangerous forms.

From a technical perspective, Resident Evil Requiem is built on the RE Engine and is the first mainline entry to target current-generation hardware exclusively. This allows for advanced visual features such as path tracing, which provides realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections. For the first time, players can also choose to play in either first-person or third-person perspectives at any time, tailoring the experience to their preferred style of play.

Beyond the digital experience, Capcom is celebrating the launch with various collaborations and collectibles. This includes high-end limited-edition watches modeled after those worn by Leon and Grace, a special Resident Evil themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, and the first-ever Resident Evil amiibo featuring Grace Ashcroft. For those playing on the Nintendo Switch 2, the game will launch alongside specialized ports of Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village, ensuring players can experience the series' modern history on a single platform.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The PC gaming landscape in early 2026 is defined by an unprecedented variety of experiences, ranging from massive multiplayer epics to small, experimental independent titles. Steam continues to be the primary platform for discovery, though the sheer volume of releases—exceeding 19,000 in a single year—makes finding quality content a challenge. Enthusiasts often look for hidden gems that offer unique gameplay or nostalgic vibes. For instance, Project Silverfish has gained attention as a STALKER-like shooter with a strong atmosphere, while Adaca draws praise for its campaign style reminiscent of classics like Halo and Half-Life. Other notable indie titles include the wholesome Trash Goblin and the Zelda-inspired Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo.

Simultaneously, the role of video games in education has expanded through the STEAM framework, which combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with the arts. This interdisciplinary approach encourages creative problem-solving and critical thinking. Game-based learning has proven effective because it uses interactive mechanics like adaptive difficulty and feedback loops to keep students engaged. Educational games like Minecraft Education Edition allow for collaborative building and exploration of scientific concepts. Simulation games such as Oxygen Not Included provide a deep look into thermodynamics and biological systems, while strategy board games like Photosynthesis help players understand ecological resource management and life cycles. Narrative-driven serious games like Crystal Island also engage students in scientific inquiry by placing them in the role of investigators solving a crisis.

Accessibility is a major theme in the current gaming market, with a wealth of high-quality free-to-play options available. Some developers focus on truly free experiences that lack microtransactions entirely. Players can enjoy the vast lore of Moonring, the psychological storytelling of Doki Doki Literature Club, or the complex management of OpenTTD without spending money. Retro fans can revisit the origins of the Elder Scrolls series with Arena and Daggerfall. For those interested in newer releases, titles like LAVALAMP and Run Coffee Run offer experimental mechanics, while projects like Project Homecoming Heaven and Party Party Anxiety explore diverse themes like trauma cleaning and social anxiety.

Beyond these permanent free options, the community frequently tracks limited-time promotions where games like Crown Champion Legends of the Arena or Battle Simulator Counter Stickman can be added to libraries permanently. This culture of sharing and discovery is supported by online discussions where users exchange advice on everything from finding the best deals during winter sales to technical tips like using ad-blockers to navigate cluttered gaming news sites. Some users also emphasize the importance of using these digital spaces to promote social causes, such as local mutual aid and charities.

In the mainstream sector, established free-to-play titles like Dota 2, Destiny 2, and Warframe remain dominant, offering hundreds of hours of content supported by optional cosmetic purchases. Competitive players flock to titles like Brawlhalla for platform-fighting action or Marvel Snap for quick tactical card matches. Other players find value in complex simulators like DCS World or War Thunder, which offer realistic military combat. Whether for formal education, serious simulation, or casual entertainment, the current gaming ecosystem provides a wide spectrum of digital worlds that respect different budgets and learning goals, bridging the gap between play and knowledge.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Forza Horizon 6 takes the legendary racing festival to the scenic and breathtaking landscapes of Japan. This latest entry marks the arrival of one of the most highly requested locations in the history of the series, offering players an open world that captures the striking contrast between modern urban centers and traditional rural beauty.

The map is the largest and most dense ever created for the franchise. At its heart is Tokyo City, an immense urban playground described as being five times larger than any city previously seen in the series. This vertical and complex environment features iconic locations such as Shibuya Crossing and the Tokyo Tower, alongside specialized racing areas like the Tokyo Expressway. Beyond the neon lights of the city, players can explore diverse biomes including coastal roads, rice paddies, and technical mountain passes inspired by famous locations like Mount Haruna. Mount Fuji towers over the landscape, providing a monolithic backdrop and the highest peak for drivers to conquer.

Progression has been reworked to feel more organic and rewarding. You begin your journey as a tourist visiting Japan and must prove your skills in the Horizon Qualifiers to join the festival as a rookie. As you complete races and challenges, you earn new wristbands that signify your rising status. Your ultimate goal is to reach the rank of Horizon Legend, which grants access to the exclusive Legend Island, a dedicated space reserved for the world's best drivers. Throughout this journey, you are accompanied by two companions: Jordy, a motorsports enthusiast, and Mei, an expert car builder who provides cultural insights and technical knowledge.

The game features over 550 real-world cars at launch, including many fan-favorite JDM classics. The cover car is the 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype, a road-going vehicle derived from motorsport excellence. Customization is more extensive than ever, introducing new body kits, updated Forza Aero options, and the ability to paint liveries directly onto car windows. Players can also purchase homes across Japan that feature customizable garages, allowing for personal spaces to display and decorate car collections. Another major addition is The Estate, a mountain valley area where players have total freedom to build and decorate their own permanent properties and tracks using the upgraded CoLab tools.

Japanese car culture is deeply integrated through features like spontaneous Car Meets, inspired by the real-world Daikoku meet. These social hubs allow players to show off their customized vehicles, download community tunes, and purchase cars directly from other participants. Nighttime Touge Battles bring high-stakes racing to technical mountain passes, while the new Rush obstacle courses and Time Attack Circuits offer fresh ways to compete. Social features like the Collection Journal allow players to track their progress and collect stamps and photos of landmarks found throughout the country.

Technically, the game utilizes new acoustic modeling to deliver remastered engine audio and a rich soundscape recorded across all four seasons in Japan. Seasonal changes are more impactful than ever, with weather patterns shifting progressively and altering both the visual beauty and the drivability of the world. Accessibility remains a priority, with features like a car proximity radar, high-contrast modes, and an AutoDrive option to ensure the festival is approachable for every driver.

Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled for release on May 19, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam. It will be available on Game Pass at launch, with a PlayStation 5 version arriving later in the year. Premium Edition owners can enjoy early access starting May 15, 2026, and will receive a custom Ferrari J50 as a pre-order bonus.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.