Category Archives: Game News

The Duskbloods: FromSoftware’s Switch 2 Exclusive Eyes Summer Network Test

After more than a year of near-total silence, The Duskbloods — FromSoftware’s brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive — is finally back in the spotlight. A closed network test is confirmed for summer 2026, and signup details are expected soon through the game’s official channels.

The Duskbloods – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

What Is The Duskbloods?

The Duskbloods is a PvPvE multiplayer action game that supports up to eight players simultaneously. You play as a Bloodsworn — a supernatural being whose power is drawn from blood — and compete across gothic, Victorian-inspired maps for the coveted prize known as First Blood. Matches blend direct combat with strategic cooperation: you can form temporary alliances, pursue side objectives, or summon companions to shift the tide. Victory Points determine the winner, but every player walks away with rewards regardless of placement.

Director Hidetaka Miyazaki — the mind behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring — described the game’s core appeal as its flexibility. Players can “avoid direct combat, select cooperative play, or pursue personal objectives,” he said in an interview published on Famitsu (Japanese), noting that the studio will “continue actively creating single-player games like Elden Ring” alongside this new multiplayer direction.

The Duskbloods Bloodsworn characters
Image courtesy of FromSoftware / Nintendo

A New Trailer and a Long-Dormant Twitter Finally Stirs

The game resurfaced at the Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026 with a short atmospheric teaser — the first new footage since its original April 2025 announcement. The clip leans into the game’s dark, Bloodborne-adjacent aesthetic, showcasing several of the playable Bloodsworn characters and a handful of environments. It doesn’t show gameplay, but it confirms FromSoftware’s gothic Victorian direction is firmly intact.

On 10 June, the game’s official X account posted for the first time in 14 months, breaking its silence to confirm that network test details would be announced through that channel — so if you’re keen, that’s the page to follow.

Network Test: What We Know

A closed network test is coming later this summer, though FromSoftware and Nintendo have not yet opened sign-ups or pinned down exact dates. What’s confirmed:

  • You will need a Nintendo Switch Online membership to participate.
  • The test will support the game’s full PvPvE format — up to 8 players — across multiple maps.
  • Signup details will be announced via the official X account and Nintendo’s channels.

Given FromSoftware’s track record with Elden Ring network tests, demand is likely to outstrip slots — worth watching for the registration window the moment it opens.

Why This Is a Big Deal for Switch 2 Owners

The Duskbloods is FromSoftware’s first Nintendo home console exclusive in 23 years, since Lost Kingdoms II in 2003. It’s a Switch 2 exclusive with no announced ports planned. For Singapore fans, that means the Switch 2’s local availability makes this one of the few ways anyone outside Japan can get early hands-on time — import or not, we’re in the same boat as the rest of the world.

The full game is still on track for a 2026 release, making the summer network test likely the last major preview before launch. Keep an eye on Nintendo Singapore’s official channels and the game’s X account for sign-up news.

Last Words

Singapore gamers who missed the Bloodborne window — or who have been waiting years for FromSoftware to do something genuinely new — should have The Duskbloods firmly on their radar. The gothic multiplayer concept is unlike anything the studio has shipped before, and the network test this summer will be the first real chance to feel whether it works. Watch the official X account for sign-up details, and check our Game News section for updates as they land.

AC Black Flag Resynced: Made in Singapore, Out July 9

Set sail one more time — and this time, the crew behind the wheel is right here in Singapore. Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, the first full remake Ubisoft has ever produced, is arriving on July 9, 2026 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. And it was built, from the keel up, by Ubisoft Singapore.

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced: Official Summer Game Fest Trailer — via Assassin’s Creed on YouTube

A Singapore Studio Takes on Ubisoft’s First-Ever Remake

Ubisoft Singapore wasn’t just a support studio this time. The team here led development of Black Flag Resynced as the primary developer — the first time a Singapore-based studio has helmed a major AAA remake for a global publisher. The original 2013 Black Flag was itself co-developed in Singapore, which makes this a full-circle moment: the studio that helped define those iconic naval battles a decade ago is now rebuilding them from scratch.

The entire game has been reconstructed on the latest evolution of Ubisoft’s Anvil engine, with ray-traced global illumination, realistic water simulation, and support for DLSS 4.5 upscaling. Consoles get a 60 FPS performance mode, and the Caribbean has never looked wetter — dynamic weather now affects visibility and combat, with storms rolling in mid-fight and swells that actually move the Jackdaw.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — official key art
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Gameplay: Rebuilt Stealth, Parries, and Piracy

The gameplay changes go well beyond a fresh coat of paint. Stealth has been reworked so Edward can crouch anywhere and dive underwater anywhere — no more frustrating spots where the game locks you out of cover. A new observe mode replaces the old tailing missions, which previously caused an immediate mission failure if spotted. Now guards can clock you and you still have a window to recover, which makes the mission design feel far less punishing.

Combat leans into precise swordplay: parrying is now the core of every duel, combo chains are shorter and snappier, and the Hidden Blade has been pulled from standard combat to be used only in stealth takedowns and contextual kills. Naval combat gets new secondary weapons including shrapnel barrels, and the expanded parkour system makes getting around Havana and Nassau feel noticeably smoother.

Naval combat in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

New Story Content — Blackbeard, Stede Bonnet, and 10 New Shanties

Returning Edward Kenway voice actor Matt Ryan reprises the role for the remake, including new additional missions and scenes written specifically for Resynced. The expanded story gives dedicated screen time to fan-favourite historical figures: Blackbeard and Stede Bonnet each get new origin missions, and three new named officers join the Jackdaw crew, each with their own unique storylines.

The soundtrack grows too — 10 new sea shanties have been added to the roster, and the Jackdaw gets new customisation options including cosmetic skins, pets, and additional ship upgrades. The modern-day interlude sections from the 2013 original have been replaced entirely by optional narrative-driven “What If?” scenarios, keeping the focus firmly on Edward’s Caribbean adventure.

Editions, Pricing, and Pre-Order Bonus

Pre-orders are open now across PlayStation Store, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Ubisoft Store:

  • Standard Edition — US$59.99
  • Deluxe Edition — US$69.99 (includes character and naval cosmetic packs)
  • Collector’s Edition — US$199.99 (31 cm Edward figurine, leather logbook, metal brooch, steelbook, artbook, map poster)

Anyone who pre-orders any edition receives Blackbeard’s Crimson Pack: an exclusive costume for Edward, plus matching swords and pistols. SGD pricing via local retailers is to be confirmed — check the PlayStation SG store or your preferred retailer closer to launch.

Last Words

Singapore gamers, we genuinely have something to be proud of here. A local studio — Ubisoft Singapore — just delivered Ubisoft’s first-ever remake of a major franchise entry, and from the Summer Game Fest footage, it looks every bit the send-off Edward Kenway deserves. With a July 9 launch less than a month away, now is a great time to put in that pre-order. Check out more game news on GameTrader.SG for the latest on what’s dropping this season.

Final Fantasy XIV Is Coming to Switch 2 in August — What Singapore Players Need to Know

Singapore’s FFXIV community has been patient — and the wait is nearly over. Final Fantasy XIV Online is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in August 2026, marking the first time the critically acclaimed MMORPG has ever appeared on a dedicated handheld. With full cross-platform progression, a free early-access window, and a meaningful subscription discount for existing players, the Switch 2 version is shaping up to be a smart pick-up for anyone who wants to take Eorzea on the go.

FINAL FANTASY XIV – Gameplay Trailer – Nintendo Switch 2 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Launch Window and Free Early Access

Square Enix has confirmed that Final Fantasy XIV will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in August 2026, with an exact date still to be announced. The release will open with approximately one month of free early access — designed to let Square Enix stress-test servers before official service begins. During that window, you can play at no charge; once official service launches, a subscription kicks in.

Final Fantasy XIV on Nintendo Switch 2 gameplay
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Subscriptions: The Deal for Existing Singapore Players

This is the headline detail for the many Singapore and SEA players already subbed on PC or PS5: you can add the Switch 2 version at half price. While your existing subscription on another platform remains active, the Nintendo Switch 2 subscription is available at 50% off. That makes the ask for portable Eorzea considerably more palatable.

A few other things to note:

  • The Switch 2 version requires a separate game purchase and subscription on top of your existing licence.
  • Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required — FFXIV handles its own online infrastructure.
  • The free trial remains available and substantial: it covers all of A Realm Reborn and the Heavensward expansion — well over 100 hours of story content before you spend a cent on a subscription.

How It Plays: 30fps, Joy-Con Mouse and Cross-Platform Progression

According to Nintendo Life’s breakdown of the Switch 2 gameplay trailer, the game targets a stable 30fps — consistent performance is the priority over chasing 60fps, which makes sense for a game built around long sessions. The trailer also confirmed Joy-Con mouse support, letting players use the Switch 2’s Joy-Con in mouse mode to navigate the UI and hotbars in a way that feels closer to the PC experience than a standard controller would.

Cross-platform character progression is fully supported via your Square Enix account. Your Warrior of Light, gear, story progress, and inventory carry across platforms — log in on Switch 2 and you pick up exactly where you left off on PC or PS5.

Final Fantasy XIV Eorzea world on Nintendo Switch 2
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Evercold — The Sixth Expansion — Arrives January 2027

Square Enix also announced the sixth expansion, Evercold, launching in January 2027 across all platforms. Switch 2 players who jump in during the August early-access window will have several months to work through existing story arcs and be ready for Evercold alongside PC and PlayStation veterans when it drops.

Last Words

For Singapore FFXIV players who’ve spent years wondering if they’d ever get handheld Eorzea, August 2026 is your moment. The 50% sub discount for existing subscribers makes the Switch 2 version a reasonable second home for the game, and the free trial remains one of the best entry points in online gaming for newcomers. Keep an eye on our latest game news — Square Enix hasn’t announced a specific August date yet, but it will land soon.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword — The Series Returns After 20 Years, Out 25 September

Twenty years is a long time to wait. The last major Onimusha entry — Dawn of Dreams — released on PlayStation 2 in 2006, and the series went dark. Now Capcom is finally bringing it back: Onimusha: Way of the Sword releases on PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 on 25 September 2026, and a free demo is live right now so you can feel the steel before you commit.

Onimusha Way of the Sword combat screenshot
Image courtesy of Capcom

Why This Is Such a Big Deal

For a certain generation of Singapore gamers, Onimusha is a PS2 bedrock title. The original 2001 game was a moody, atmospheric hack-and-slash set in a supernatural feudal Japan, and it became one of the system’s early standout hits in the region. Onimusha 2 and the Samurai’s Destiny sequel deepened the lore, and Onimusha 3 brought in Jean Reno. But after Dawn of Dreams in 2006, Capcom shifted its focus elsewhere, and the franchise fell dormant.

Way of the Sword is the first brand-new entry in nearly two decades. The stakes — and the hype — are real.

Onimusha: Way of the Sword – Official Release Date Reveal Gameplay Trailer — via GameSpot on YouTube

Setting and Story: Musashi vs the Genma

Way of the Sword is set in Kyoto during the early Edo period, in a dark fantasy version of the city where malevolent clouds of Malice have twisted the landscape and opened the gates to the Genma — supernatural creatures from the underworld. You play as Miyamoto Musashi, Japan’s legendary swordsman, who picks up the mystical Oni Gauntlet and gains the power to slay Genma. As he fights through the haunted streets and temples of Kyoto — including a memorable stage set at Kiyomizu-dera Temple — Musashi searches for his reason to fight and unravels the mysteries of the voice that speaks to him through the gauntlet.

Capcom modelled the protagonist’s face on the late, iconic Japanese cinema legend Toshiro Mifune, which gives Musashi an immediately striking, cinematic presence.

Combat: Every Strike Counts

Onimusha’s signature swordplay is back and rebuilt for modern hardware. Core mechanics include parrying and deflecting incoming attacks, the Issen critical strike (a perfectly timed slash that deals massive damage), and the Reflex Combo system that rewards consecutive successful dodges. The Oni Gauntlet unlocks two supernatural modes: Oni Strength lets Musashi break through enemy defences, while Oni Agility enables wall-running and faster traversal through Kyoto’s environments. Absorbing defeated Genma’s souls powers up your Oni abilities and fills your stats — a mechanic series veterans will recognise immediately.

Producer Akihito Kadowaki described the goal as delivering “a wide variety of action sequences, including the ultimate sword-fighting mechanics that realistically capture the impact of every strike,” as detailed in the PlayStation Blog.

Onimusha Way of the Sword Kyoto environment
Image courtesy of Capcom

Free Demo Out Now — Try It Before 25 September

A free demo is available on PS5 right now, offering around 30 minutes of early story content. Completing and saving the demo also unlocks the Charm: Kubi Akari item when you play the full game. There’s no better time to see whether the 20-year wait was worth it — especially if you never played the originals and want to know what the fuss is about. Keep an eye on the Nintendo Singapore page for Switch 2 demo details.

Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses

Three editions are available at launch:

  • Standard Edition — base game (SGD pricing to be confirmed)
  • Deluxe Edition — includes the Deluxe Kit with cosmetic charms, outfits, and weapon skins
  • Premium Deluxe Edition — adds the Premium Kit featuring companion outfits, additional skins, and a digital soundtrack

Pre-ordering any edition unlocks the Charm: Lion Dog and the Sword Appearance: Sealed Curse skin — a clean bonus for day-one buyers.

Last Words

Whether you were there for the PS2 originals or you’re coming to Onimusha fresh, Way of the Sword looks like a serious revival rather than a cash-in nostalgia trip. Capcom has rebuilt the combat from the ground up, set it in a gorgeously moody Edo-period Kyoto, and put 20 years’ worth of franchise ambition behind it. Singapore gamers on PS5 can try the demo right now; Switch 2 owners should expect more info soon. The full game lands on 25 September 2026 — and it’s been worth the wait just to say that sentence. Check out our round-up of other gaming news for more from the Nintendo Direct.

Final Fantasy Resonance: The First HD-2D FF Game Launches 22 October

Square Enix just answered a question fans have been asking for years: what would Final Fantasy look like with HD-2D visuals and old-school turn-based combat? The answer is Final Fantasy Resonance, officially announced at the Nintendo Direct in June 2026 — and it looks every bit as nostalgic and fresh at the same time.

FINAL FANTASY RESONANCE – Announce Trailer — via FINAL FANTASY on YouTube

What Is Final Fantasy Resonance?

Final Fantasy Resonance is the first mainline Final Fantasy title to use Square Enix’s beloved HD-2D engine — the same gorgeous pixel-art-meets-3D-depth style that powered Octopath Traveler and Triangle Strategy. The story follows Rain, a knight commander who sets out to protect the world’s crystals after a mysterious armoured figure begins destroying them one by one. He’s joined by his deputy Lasswell and the amnesiac Fina in a tale that wears its classic FF influences proudly on its sleeve.

It’s based on the first story arc of the mobile hit Final Fantasy Brave Exvius — but Square Enix stresses this is no straight port. The game has been extensively rebuilt as a full-fledged console RPG, with a brand-new battle system, voiced cutscenes, orchestral score, and all the production polish you’d expect from a mainline release.

Final Fantasy Resonance logo
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Turn-Based Combat Is Back — and It’s About Time

Here’s the big one for old-school fans: Final Fantasy Resonance brings back a true turn-based battle system, the first time the mainline series has done so since Final Fantasy X back in 2001. You see an action timeline, exploit elemental weaknesses to trigger a stagger gauge, and then unleash devastating Bonus Phase attacks when enemies break. Espers — including Siren and Ramuh — fight alongside your party for three turns and close out with a powerful finale ability.

The party is fully customisable, and the whole thing looks genuinely strategic rather than button-mashy. Singapore gamers who grew up on classic turn-based JRPGs from the PS1 and PS2 era will feel right at home.

The Visions System: Summon Cloud, Terra, and More

Beyond the main cast, Final Fantasy Resonance introduces a Visions system that lets you equip crystallised essences of legendary Final Fantasy heroes. The confirmed roster of Visions reads like a franchise hall of fame: Cloud Strife, Terra Branford, the Warrior of Light, Tidus, Y’shtola, and Shantotto. Each Vision grants stat bonuses, unique abilities, and a signature Resonance technique — a spectacular finishing move tied to that character’s lore. It’s a love letter to the franchise, and it genuinely looks like it has gameplay depth rather than just fan-service.

Chocobos, airships, and summonable Espers round out a feature list that checks every box for fans of the series’ golden era. For more on what’s coming to Nintendo Switch 2, check out our latest news.

Platforms, Release Date, and Editions

Final Fantasy Resonance launches simultaneously worldwide on 22 October 2026 across Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam and Microsoft Store). That global day-one launch means Singapore players won’t be waiting — whatever platform you’re on, you’re in from day one.

Three editions are available:

  • Standard Edition — US$49.99 (SGD pricing to be confirmed)
  • Digital Deluxe Edition — US$59.99, adds the Magitek & Grimoire Deluxe Pack with exclusive in-game items
  • Collector’s Edition — US$209.99, includes a pixel art book, 120-track soundtrack CD, acrylic block set, and a Final Fantasy Trading Card Game promotional card

Pre-ordering nets you the Magitek Airship Passkey and a starter equipment package. Early purchasers also get the Blessed Cuirass armour and Mist Ether consumable after launch.

Last Words

Final Fantasy Resonance checks an extraordinary number of boxes at once: it’s the first HD-2D Final Fantasy, the first turn-based mainline entry since FFX, and it comes packed with iconic franchise characters in a playable Visions system. For Singapore fans of classic RPGs — and there are a lot of us — this could be one of the most exciting releases of the year. Mark 22 October in your calendars, and watch the announce trailer above to see those pixel-perfect visuals in action.

Metaphor: ReFantazio Hits Nintendo Switch 2 on 12 November

The Nintendo Switch 2 has a new must-have JRPG on the horizon: Metaphor: ReFantazio is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on 12 November 2026, Atlus confirmed during the Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026. A limited-run Steelbook Edition will also be available at launch for collectors who want the premium physical package.

Metaphor: ReFantazio — Announce Trailer | Nintendo Switch 2 — via Official ATLUS West on YouTube

What Is Metaphor: ReFantazio?

If the name rings a bell, it is because Metaphor: ReFantazio was arguably the RPG story of 2024. Created by Atlus Studio Zero — the same team behind Persona 3, Persona 4, and Persona 5 — it is a fantasy RPG set in a kingdom torn apart by political intrigue and ancient curses, where a young hero and his fairy companion Gallica journey across a vast world to lift the curse afflicting the lost prince.

The critical reception was exceptional: a 94 on Metacritic, sales of one million copies on its opening day (making it Atlus’s fastest-ever launch), and a clean sweep of the major RPG awards at The Game Awards — Best Role-Playing Game, Best Narrative, and Best Art Direction. RPGSite named it their RPG of the Year for 2024. If you have heard Singapore gamers raving about an Atlus title over the past 18 months, this is almost certainly the one.

Metaphor: ReFantazio on Nintendo Switch 2 — announce trailer screenshot
Image courtesy of Atlus

Metaphor ReFantazio Switch 2 — What’s New?

The Switch 2 version is a native port rather than a backwards-compatibility carry-over. Footage shown during the Nintendo Direct demonstrated the game running on the hardware, and the results look strong — Metaphor’s distinctive storybook-meets-fantasy art direction is well-suited to a portable display, and the Switch 2’s horsepower should allow it to run cleanly at higher frame rates than the original Switch could have managed.

Specific technical enhancements beyond native support have not yet been detailed by Atlus, but given the Switch 2’s capabilities, performance improvements over an original Switch version are expected. Pricing for the Switch 2 release has not been confirmed; expect Atlus to announce SGD pricing closer to the November launch date.

Steelbook Edition: What Singapore Players Should Know

A limited Steelbook Edition will be available at launch. Atlus collector editions historically sell through quickly — especially at game shops in Singapore, which receive modest allocations for Japanese RPG titles. If the Steelbook is on your radar, putting in a pre-order early is the smart play. Watch for stock announcements from local retailers in the coming weeks.

The standard physical edition ships on a game-key card, as is standard for Switch 2 titles. For those who prefer digital, the game will of course be available on the Nintendo eShop.

Last Words

The Persona and Atlus fanbase in Singapore is sizable and enthusiastic — every major Atlus release draws a crowd at game shops here, and Metaphor: ReFantazio is the biggest thing the studio has shipped in years. Getting it on Switch 2 on 12 November means first-timers finally have a portable option to experience one of the best RPGs of recent memory, and those who already finished it on PS5 or PC have a reason to revisit it on the go. For more Switch 2 news relevant to Singapore players, browse our News section.

Among Us Story: On Guard — Free Demo Out Now on Steam

Innersloth just dropped a free demo for Among Us Story: On Guard — and it is live on Steam right now. If you have been following the game since its reveal at Summer Game Fest on 5 June, today is the day to finally step into the role of Guard and start solving crimes aboard the MIRA Research & Development station.

Among Us Story: On Guard Reveal Trailer — via Innersloth on YouTube

What Is Among Us Story: On Guard?

This is a standalone, single-player narrative game set in the Among Us universe — and it takes the series in a very different direction. You play as Guard, a cynical security officer taking part in a Crewmate training simulation at MIRA Research & Development. Your job: identify the Impostor hiding among your colleagues, complete workplace tasks, and make sense of a mounting body count before things spiral completely out of control.

Think of it as a murder-mystery adventure wrapped inside the spaceship you already know by heart. You will explore familiar locations — the cafeteria, the laboratory — and piece together clues through dialogue and investigation rather than the usual real-time voting chaos. Innersloth is describing it as a “chaotic, silly, and bean-sized experience,” which sounds just right for the studio that built a social phenomenon out of a game about space beans.

Among Us Story: On Guard gameplay from the reveal trailer
Image courtesy of Innersloth

Multiple Endings and How Among Us Story On Guard Plays

The demo — and presumably the full game — features three distinct endings. The investigative choices you make directly shape how the mystery resolves, giving the game genuine replayability for something Innersloth has deliberately kept compact. They specifically designed it to respect your schedule rather than demand dozens of hours, which Singapore players juggling work, school, and everything else will appreciate.

The investigation loop follows a structure Innersloth calls MIRA: Meet the crewmates, Identify the Impostor, Reap the rewards of your investigation, and complete your tasks. It is familiar framing dressed up in something new — a real narrative mystery you untangle at your own pace.

Platforms and Singapore Access

Among Us Story: On Guard is heading to PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2, with Innersloth confirming more platforms are planned for the future. A full release date has not been announced yet, but the demo going live today signals the team is deep in development.

Singapore fans can grab the demo instantly — head to the Among Us Story: On Guard Steam page now. No region lock, no purchase needed. The original soundtrack is also available for pre-save starting today, if the Among Us musical vibes are your thing.

Last Words

The original Among Us had its biggest moment during the pandemic years, and Singapore was absolutely part of that wave — the game exploded across school groups, office Discord servers, and streaming channels here. On Guard feels like a genuine evolution rather than a cash-in: Innersloth is taking the universe they built and asking what a solo story set inside it could look like. The free demo is the perfect reason to find out today. Check out more gaming news on GameTrader while you wait for the download.

Xenoblade Genesis: New World, New Hero — Switch 2 Exclusive in 2027

Monolith Soft and Nintendo landed one of the Nintendo Direct’s most memorable moments: the reveal of Xenoblade Genesis, an all-new entry in the beloved RPG series built exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 and launching in 2027. From the look of the reveal trailer, this is a deliberate reinvention — same legendary team, completely fresh world.

Xenoblade Genesis – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

A Brand-New World: Anshar and the Power of Anima

Xenoblade Genesis is set in Anshar, an annular world bathed in the light of six suns — a setting that immediately signals a break from both the colossal Titans of Xenoblade Chronicles and the Blades and Titans of Chronicles 2. The land is governed by a primordial force called Anima, described as the source of all things, flowing through the world and its creatures.

Warriors who can channel Anima in combat are known as Vesselai. They wield special weapons enhanced by crystalline artefacts called crystones, which amplify their abilities and — notably — record their thoughts and actions, adding an intriguing lore dimension to even the gear system. The trailer hints at sweeping vistas, enormous flying creatures, and a conflict with high stakes: the shadow of “a fallen god’s vengeance” looms over the narrative.

Xenoblade Genesis protagonist Eleanor
Image courtesy of Nintendo / Monolith Soft

Meet Eleanor — and the Academy of Leukos

The protagonist is Eleanor, who enrolls at Leukos, an academy that trains Vesselai. The academy framing immediately evokes Fire Emblem: Three Houses more than the open-world sprawl of Xenoblade Chronicles 3, and that’s clearly intentional — Genesis appears to root its early story in student politics and coming-of-age bonds before expanding into something larger.

Visually, Eleanor and her companions sport elf-like features, and the game’s rideable mounts — creatures that look like a wolf-horse hybrid — are already turning heads. Character designs come from Mai Yoneyama and PALOW, a pairing that brings distinct anime-art sensibilities to the Xenoblade aesthetic.

Leukos Academy in Xenoblade Genesis
Image courtesy of Nintendo / Monolith Soft

The Team Behind It

Tetsuya Takahashi directs, as he has on every major Xeno title from Xenogears (1998) onwards. The musical team is equally formidable: Yasunori Mitsuda — the composer behind Chrono Trigger, Xenogears, and Xenoblade Chronicles 2‘s sweeping original score — returns alongside Mariam Abounnasr and Minami Kiyota, both contributors to Xenoblade Chronicles 3. For JRPG fans, that lineup alone is reason to pay attention.

Switch 2 Editions for the Existing Trilogy

Nintendo also announced Switch 2 Edition upgrades for Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, and Xenoblade Chronicles 3, making the full modern trilogy accessible natively on Switch 2 ahead of Genesis‘s 2027 window. Pricing for those upgrades is to be confirmed.

Last Words

Singapore JRPG fans who have followed Monolith Soft’s work know the studio consistently punches above its weight — each Xenoblade entry has pushed the limits of Nintendo hardware to deliver genuinely massive, emotionally resonant worlds. Xenoblade Genesis looks set to continue that tradition with a fresh cast, a fresh setting, and the legendary Mitsuda back on the score. No price or local eShop listing yet, but 2027 is the window. Follow our News section for updates as they come.

Kingdom Hearts IV Confirmed for Switch 2 — Plus Native Collection This October

After years of cloud-only workarounds on Nintendo hardware, Kingdom Hearts is finally coming to Switch 2 the right way — natively. Square Enix used the Nintendo Direct on 9 June 2026 to drop a surprise gameplay trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV and confirm proper, non-cloud releases of the entire series on Nintendo Switch 2.

KINGDOM HEARTS IV Teaser Trailer | June 2026 — via KINGDOM HEARTS on YouTube

Kingdom Hearts IV on Switch 2: What We Know So Far

The new trailer brings our first extended look at Kingdom Hearts IV in years. Sora is back, fighting a colossal Heartless through the streets of Quadratum — the hyper-realistic modern city first glimpsed in the 2022 reveal — with a noticeably sharper, more cinematic art direction and fluid action combat. Square Enix confirmed that the game launches simultaneously on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. No official release date has been announced yet.

This is bigger news than it might look on the surface. Previous Kingdom Hearts games on Nintendo Switch were cloud-streamed — playable only with a live internet connection — which made the experience frustrating for many players. Kingdom Hearts IV confirmed as a native, day-one Switch 2 title is a genuine shift in how Square Enix is treating Nintendo hardware.

Kingdom Hearts IV — Sora battles a Heartless in Quadratum
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Kingdom Hearts Collection [I–III]: Native, October 8, With a Switch 2 Exclusive Keyblade

Confirmed alongside KH IV, KINGDOM HEARTS Collection [I–III] arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on 8 October 2026. This is the native collection Singapore fans who skipped the cloud versions have been waiting for.

The bundle includes everything:

  • KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX- — covering KH1, Re:Chain of Memories, KH2, 358/2 Days, Birth by Sleep, and Re:coded
  • KINGDOM HEARTS HD 2.8 Final Chapter PrologueDream Drop Distance HD, 0.2 Birth by Sleep – A Fragmentary Passage, and χ Back Cover
  • KINGDOM HEARTS III + Re Mind (DLC)

All three run natively on Switch 2 — no internet required. Switch 2 owners also receive a platform-exclusive bonus: the “Long Night” Keyblade, unique to Nintendo’s platform.

Confirmed pricing so far: £64.99 (UK) and ¥11,000 including tax (Japan). SGD pricing on the Nintendo Singapore eShop is to be confirmed — check the eShop listing when it appears.

Kingdom Hearts Collection I-III and Kingdom Hearts IV banner
Image courtesy of Square Enix

Cloud Versions Delisted — But Existing Owners Get 50% Off

The original Kingdom Hearts cloud versions for Nintendo Switch were delisted from the eShop on 9 June 2026, the same day as the Direct announcement. If you purchased them before that date, they remain playable until 9 June 2027.

Square Enix is softening the transition: anyone who owned a Kingdom Hearts cloud version on Switch is eligible for a 50% discount on the corresponding native Switch 2 digital versions — including the Collection bundle. Details on how to claim the discount will be available through the Nintendo eShop.

Last Words

For Singapore Kingdom Hearts fans, this is genuinely exciting news. The series has a devoted following across Southeast Asia — many of us grew up with KH1 and KH2 on PS2 — and the prospect of playing through the complete saga plus a brand-new chapter on Switch 2, without streaming lag, is a proper treat. Mark 8 October on the calendar for the Collection. Keep an eye on our News section for a release date on Kingdom Hearts IV as Square Enix reveals more.