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Game News

The Blood of Dawnwalker Launches 3 September — Ex-Witcher 3 Director’s Dark RPG

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The Blood of Dawnwalker — the debut dark fantasy RPG from Rebel Wolves, a studio co-founded by Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — lands on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on 3 September 2026. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment and built on Unreal Engine 5, it has been quietly shaping up as one of the most intriguing action RPGs of the year, and Singapore players should have global-launch access from day one.

What Is The Blood of Dawnwalker?

The Blood of Dawnwalker — Official Gameplay Trailer, via IGN on YouTube

You play as Coen, a young man cursed after being bitten by the vampire lord Brencis, who rules the mountain valley of Vale Sangora in an alternative 14th-century Carpathian Mountains during the Black Death. Brencis has Coen’s family captive. The goal: free them before 30 in-game days run out.

That countdown is not just a story device — every skill you learn, every ruin you explore, every side quest you take burns from the clock. Rebel Wolves calls the structure a narrative sandbox: you can tackle Vale Sangora’s regions in any order, make branching dialogue choices that change what NPCs share with you, and still reach a self-contained ending every playthrough.

Human by Day, Predator by Night

Coen faces a monstrous undead enemy in directional sword combat during daylight
Image courtesy of Rebel Wolves / Bandai Namco Entertainment

The day/night cycle is central to how The Blood of Dawnwalker plays. By day Coen fights as a mortal: a directional sword combat system rewards matching your inputs to the attack angle to conserve stamina, while ignoring the system drains you fast. It is methodical, punishing, and grounded.

At night the vampire half takes over. Coen gains Shadowstep — a teleport-dash that repositions him instantly — plus wall-crawling for verticality, and blood-drain attacks that simultaneously hurt enemies and restore his health. The shift in speed and aggression between the two modes gives the gameplay a rhythm that sets it apart from typical action RPGs.

Brencis, the Villain — and a Self-Contained Story

Vampire lord Brencis — the ancient, pale antagonist of The Blood of Dawnwalker
Image courtesy of Rebel Wolves / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Brencis is the ancient vampire lord who rules Vale Sangora and controls Coen’s family — the pressure behind every decision you make. He is not a background threat; the 30-day timer exists because of him, and his defeat (or survival) shapes the ending.

Rebel Wolves has been clear that this is a complete, standalone story. Game Director Konrad Tomaszkiewicz confirmed in the official Bandai Namco announcement: “Each installment in the series will be a standalone game with its own story, without narrative cliffhangers, unresolved plot threads, or time travel ideas.” A separate CGI teaser hints that future Dawnwalker Saga entries will jump to different centuries and settings, but the first game wraps its own arc fully.

Editions and Pre-Order Details

The Blood of Dawnwalker Collector's Edition contents — PureArts Coen figurine, steelbook, world map and world compendium
Image courtesy of Rebel Wolves / Bandai Namco Entertainment

Four editions are available:

  • Standard — base game on all three platforms
  • Eclipse Edition — adds a digital World Compendium, game soundtrack, and comic book
  • Day One Edition — physical only; includes the game, a steelbook, and a 13”×16” world map
  • Collector’s Edition — all Day One Edition contents plus a 9-inch Coen figurine by PureArts and a 60-page hardcover World Compendium

Pre-ordering any edition unlocks the Sangoran Wayfarer’s Armor Set as an early-unlock — it can also be obtained in-game later.

What Singapore PS5 and PC Players Should Know

Coen and a female companion share a narrative moment by firelight in The Blood of Dawnwalker
Image courtesy of Rebel Wolves / Bandai Namco Entertainment

The Blood of Dawnwalker is a global release from Bandai Namco, so Singapore PS5 and PC gamers should be able to grab it at launch on 3 September. Bandai Namco titles typically land at major game retailers and electronics chains here at or near the global date. An SGD retail price has not been confirmed at the time of writing — check the official Dawnwalker site and local storefronts as launch approaches.

For RPG fans who loved the narrative depth of The Witcher 3 or the demanding combat of Elden Ring, this is a September to watch. It lands a week before Tokyo Game Show 2026, making it one of the last big releases before the convention season kicks off. Keep an eye on our Game News section for pricing updates as they come in.

Game News

Digimon Story: Time Stranger Is Now on Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

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Bandai Namco’s Digimon RPG Digimon Story: Time Stranger has arrived on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 today, July 10 — bringing the 1 million-seller that launched on PS5, Xbox, and PC last October to Nintendo fans for the first time.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger — Digital World exploration
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

What Is Digimon Story: Time Stranger?

Time Stranger is a full-scale turn-based RPG built around collecting, raising, and battling more than 450 Digimon. The story follows agents of a group called ADAMAS who are caught up in a world-threatening crisis spanning both the human world and the Digital World: Iliad — with time-travel mechanics woven into the narrative. It is the most ambitious entry in the Digimon Story series since Cyber Sleuth, and a natural next step for fans who played through that duology on Switch years ago.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger — turn-based battle system
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

Switch 2 Performance: Choose Quality or Speed

The Nintendo Switch 2 version ships with two display modes. Quality Mode targets 4K resolution with HDR at up to 30 FPS when docked (Full HD at up to 30 FPS in handheld), while Performance Mode runs at Full HD and up to 60 FPS in both docked and handheld play. The original Switch version does not get these modes, but the jump from PS5 or Xbox to Switch 2 is notably smoother than it would have been on base hardware. The port is handled by h.a.n.d., Inc., the same studio behind several other well-regarded Switch conversions.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger — Digimon roster and Digivolution
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment
Digimon Story Time Stranger – Nintendo Switch 2 / Nintendo Switch Announcement Trailer — via Bandai Namco Entertainment America on YouTube

Free Update Adds New Character Mode and Photo Mode

A free update launching alongside the Switch versions adds several quality-of-life features to all platforms. The headline addition is the Terriermon Assistant — a new playable character mode unlocked via a Mode Change from Terriermon. Also included are a Photo Mode for field sequences, a new screen in Digifarm to check Digivolution conditions at a glance, and Switch 2-exclusive graphics options. Several bug fixes round out the patch, including a progression fix for the “God of Speed’s Wish” mission.

Digimon Story Time Stranger – How to Play Trailer – Nintendo Switch 2 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

Demo, DLC, and Pricing

A free demo is available now on Switch and Switch 2, covering the opening chapter with save data that carries over to the full game — a good way for Singapore fans to test the performance modes before committing. Three editions are available: Standard, Digital Deluxe (includes Season Pass), and Digital Ultimate. The Season Pass covers three DLC packs releasing weekly from July 16, each adding five new Digimon and a new story episode.

On Steam, Time Stranger is currently S$45.54 (43% off from S$79.90 — check Steam for the current price). On the Nintendo eShop the Standard Edition is listed at US$59.99. Singapore fans can also pick it up at major game retailers and electronics chains carrying Nintendo Switch 2 titles.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger — story scenes and world design
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco Entertainment

With Cyber Sleuth still fondly remembered by the Switch community here, Time Stranger arriving with 4K support and a healthy DLC roadmap makes this a solid pick for Digimon fans who held out for Nintendo hardware. Check out more RPG and Nintendo news at our Game News section.

Game Industry News

Obsidian Is Making a New Fallout Game — And Avowed 2 Is Dead

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Obsidian Entertainment — the studio that gave us Fallout: New Vegas, one of the most beloved RPGs ever made — is reportedly returning to the Fallout universe. According to reporting by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, a new game in Bethesda’s post-apocalyptic franchise is now in development at Obsidian, with studio design director Josh Sawyer leading the project. The bad news for fans of the studio’s last title: the Avowed sequel is dead.

Avowed — Official Launch Trailer – via XBOX on YouTube

Josh Sawyer Is Leading a New Fallout Title at Obsidian

The new project is in early development and led by Sawyer, who was previously directing a separate role-playing game described by Bloomberg’s sources as structurally and thematically similar to Fallout — but outside the franchise entirely. That original game has now been shelved in favour of an actual Fallout title. No platforms, release window, or title has been publicly confirmed. Obsidian and Xbox have not issued an official statement.

For Singapore’s PC and Xbox gaming community, this is the kind of news worth sitting with. Sawyer directed Fallout: New Vegas — the only Fallout game not made by Bethesda itself, and still widely considered the high-water mark for the series’ storytelling, moral depth, and faction-driven design. Many Singapore and Southeast Asian RPG fans grew up with New Vegas as a formative game. The prospect of Sawyer returning to Fallout, with a full mandate from Microsoft and the full weight of Obsidian behind him, is the most exciting RPG development announcement in years — even if the game is years away.

Avowed 2 Was Killed Before It Could Be Announced

Avowed gameplay — combat with enemies on a coastal beach
Image courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment

The Avowed sequel was well into development and on track to be publicly announced within the coming year, according to sources who spoke to Bloomberg. The cancellation did not come from technical or creative failure — by all accounts it was going well. It came from a strategic decision by Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, who is reorienting Microsoft’s gaming investments around fewer, higher-profile bets following the company’s wider restructuring announced earlier this month.

An Avowed sequel — solid and well-received, but not a blockbuster seller — apparently did not clear that bar. Bloomberg reports that some Obsidian employees who worked on the sequel will remain attached to it in a holding capacity while the Fallout project ramps up, in the hope of one day reviving it. Whether that happens depends entirely on how Microsoft’s broader gaming recovery shapes up over the next few years.

52 Obsidian Staff Let Go in Latest Xbox Cuts

Obsidian Entertainment logo
Image courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment

A WARN notice filed in California — received and reported by Jason Schreier’s Game File newsletter — confirms 52 employees were let go from Obsidian’s Irvine studio, roughly a quarter of its total headcount. These cuts are the most concentrated to hit any single Xbox studio in the current round of layoffs and represent a meaningful loss of institutional knowledge and development capacity, even as the studio pivots to an ambitious new direction.

What’s Still in the Pipeline at Obsidian

Avowed first-person gameplay — discovering trap wires in a forest
Image courtesy of Obsidian Entertainment

Obsidian is not shutting down or retreating. The studio will continue producing DLC for The Outer Worlds 2 and is actively developing Grounded 2, the sequel to its popular co-op survival game. The new Fallout project is the centrepiece, but Obsidian remains a multi-project studio — a leaner one now, but still operating across multiple titles.

For Singapore players who played Avowed via Xbox Game Pass or picked it up on Steam, nothing about the original game changes. The sequel cancellation does not affect the base game or any existing content. As for the new Fallout title: there is no SEA release window yet, and given the project appears to be in early stages, realistically we are looking at several years. But if Obsidian’s track record in this franchise is anything to go by, it will be worth the wait. Watch this one. Check back at Game Industry News for any further updates.

Game News

NTE Hits Steam Today — Version 1.2 “999 Nights” Brings New Map and Tabletop Mode

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Singapore gamers who have been eyeing Hotta Studio’s supernatural open-world RPG Neverness to Everness (NTE) now have a very good reason to finally jump in: the game launches natively on Steam and Epic Games Store today, 8 July 2026, alongside its biggest content update yet. Version 1.2 — titled 999 Nights — brings a brand-new continent, a permanent tabletop RPG mode, a new S-Class character, and full cross-progression across every platform from day one.

NTE丨Version 1.2 PV – 999 Nights — via NTE Global on YouTube

What’s New in Version 1.2 “999 Nights”

The centrepiece of this update is the Warren Continent, a sprawling new region unlocked by playing through the new main story episode Fighting with a Dragon (Hunter Level 26 required). Set in a light-hearted, fantasy tabletop-RPG aesthetic orchestrated by character Mint, it’s a deliberate tonal shift from Hethereau’s urban mystery — think classic JRPG towns and dungeons layered over NTE’s action combat.

NTE Version 1.2 Warren Continent new map
Image courtesy of Hotta Studio / Perfect World Games

Tied to the Warren Continent is the flagship new permanent mode: 999 Nights. It’s a standalone tabletop-inspired RPG experience with its own progression system — characters take on classic fantasy classes, collect and appraise gear, and work through its own story arc. Unlike many gacha events, it is a permanent addition — no countdown clock, no FOMO.

NTE 999 Nights tabletop RPG mode gameplay
Image courtesy of Hotta Studio / Perfect World Games

New S-Class Character: Shinku

Launching alongside v1.2 today is Shinku, a new S-Class Cosmos-element DPS who uses Condensate Arcs and shifts into an aggressive Surging Crimson state for burst windows. Her banner runs from July 8 through July 29. The next limited S-Class, Iroi — an Anima-element support with a Regression mechanic for ally revival — arrives July 29.

NTE Shinku character banner Version 1.2
Image courtesy of Hotta Studio / Perfect World Games

Steam Launch — What Singapore Players Need to Know

Version maintenance runs from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM SGT today, so the game should be live on Steam from around 11 AM. Singapore players are on the SEA server, which carries full cross-progression: if you have been playing on mobile or the standalone PC client since NTE’s April launch, every bit of progress transfers over seamlessly. New players creating an account by 19 August 2026 receive a free S-Class Standard Character Selection Box — a genuinely generous welcome offer for a fresh start. All players also receive 1,600 Annulith as an appreciation gift and an additional 300 Annulith in maintenance compensation.

NTE Neverness to Everness game logo art
Image courtesy of Hotta Studio / Perfect World Games

The game is free to play on Steam and on the Epic Games Store — no subscription required. Find more game news on GameTrader.

Game News

Kyoto Xanadu Hits Asia on 15 July — SGD 70.90 on PS5

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Nihon Falcom’s Kyoto Xanadu -the Blooming Phantom- launches in Japan and Asia on 15 July 2026, and it is already live on the Singapore PlayStation Store for pre-order at SGD 70.90 on PS5. The spiritual successor to the cult 2015 action RPG Tokyo Xanadu, this is the first new Xanadu title from Falcom in over a decade — and it lands on Switch 2 and PC Steam on the same day.

From Tokyo to Kyoto — Falcom Returns to Xanadu

The Xanadu sub-series dates back to Falcom’s early PC era, but it found its widest audience with Tokyo Xanadu on the PS Vita and later PS4/PC. Kyoto Xanadu keeps the core formula — a school-life RPG wrapped around hack-and-slash dungeon crawling — but shifts the setting to an alternate-timeline Japan where Kyoto, not Tokyo, is the capital. In this world, a dimension called Xanadu is slowly bleeding into reality, spawning monsters and threatening the city’s ancient streets. Players take on the role of a transfer student who enrols at Hirasaka Academy, a school specifically established to train fighters — called Eligibles — capable of pushing back into the labyrinth.

Clouded Leopard Entertainment handles the Asian localisation and distribution, continuing the publisher’s strong track record of bringing Falcom titles to this region.

How Combat Works — Two Dimensions, One Labyrinth

Kyoto Xanadu – Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 2.5.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

The game’s standout design is its dual combat system. Most of the dungeon unfolds as classic 2D side-scrolling action — you run, jump, and slash your way through floors packed with enemies, much like the side-scrolling sections Falcom fans know from the Ys series. Hit a Gate — special nodes scattered through the labyrinth — and the camera pulls back into full 3D, opening a larger arena where your full team’s Soul Devices, Issen counters, and Soul Accel abilities come into play against tougher enemies and bosses. Switching between the two modes mid-run is seamless, which is unusual for an action RPG and gives each layer of the dungeon a distinct feel without splitting the game into two separate modes.

Kyoto Xanadu protagonist Rei in 3D Soul Device combat
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Inside Hirasaka Academy

Between dungeon runs, the game leans into a school-life simulation layer. Players attend card-deck-based classes, build relationships with their squadmates, and explore the city of Kyoto itself. The main cast includes Ren Amano, heir to a major financial conglomerate who leads the elite team Futen using Kurikara sword-type Soul Devices; Zoya, an impulsive close-range fighter who wields Shashka-type weapons; Chisa, a quiet but deadly specialist who fights with Kunai-types; and Rachana, the group’s calm strategist who covers range with Bow-type Soul Devices. The protagonist, Rei, arrives as a transfer student and quickly gets drawn into their world.

Kyoto Xanadu 2D side-scrolling combat in a Japanese castle setting
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Singapore Pricing, Platforms and the Language Caveat

Here is what Singapore players need to know before pre-ordering:

  • PS5 — SGD 70.90 via the Singapore PlayStation Store. Pre-orders get a LinoN Support Card DLC (bonus valid until 15 July).
  • Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 — launching the same day via Clouded Leopard Entertainment; the Switch 2 version is digital-only with an upgrade path for Switch owners at just 150 yen.
  • PC (Steam) — available on the same date in Asia.

Language note: The Asian release — including the Singapore PS Store listing — supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. There is no English text in the current Asian version. English-speaking players should hold off for the Western release, which Falcom and a yet-to-be-announced Western partner have confirmed is in the works for later in summer 2026. If you read Chinese, though, Traditional Chinese support means Mandarin-reading Singapore fans can jump in on day one.

Ren Amano character from Kyoto Xanadu with a large Soul Device weapon
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Western Release and What Comes Next

A Western release date for Kyoto Xanadu is still being coordinated with a partner publisher, so an English-localised version is coming — just without a confirmed date. Given Falcom’s recent track record (the Trails and Ys series have all received solid English releases), the gap between the Japanese/Asian launch and an English version should hopefully be shorter than some of the studio’s older titles.

For more on upcoming game news landing in Singapore this month, keep an eye on the site. Kyoto Xanadu is available for pre-order on the Singapore PS Store now.

Kyoto Xanadu 3D boss encounter in the Xanadu labyrinth
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Game News

Suikoden’s First Mobile RPG Opens Pre-Registration — Star Leap Announced by KONAMI

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Suikoden — KONAMI’s beloved RPG series built on assembling an enormous cast of recruitable characters — is making its first-ever leap onto smartphones. 幻想水滸伝 STAR LEAP (Genso Suikoden: Star Leap) opened pre-registration today, 1 July 2026, on the iOS App Store and Google Play, with a Steam PC version also listed as planned. The news broke via 4Gamer (Japanese) and Famitsu (Japanese) ahead of any English-language coverage.

Suikoden Star Leap — the 108 Stars of Destiny gather under cherry blossom trees in classic pixel-art RPG style
Image courtesy of KONAMI

What Is Suikoden Star Leap?

Set in the same universe as the mainline Suikoden entries, in year 453 of the solar calendar, Star Leap is a free-to-play RPG described by KONAMI as a journey of bonds and encounters (絆と出会う旅). Players guide a new protagonist through a story woven around the franchise’s signature themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and political intrigue. The visual style blends high-resolution 2D character art — illustrated in the moe-realism style that has become familiar in contemporary mobile JRPGs — with the series’ classic pixel-art RPG engine for the gameplay itself. The result looks like a love letter to the original SNES and PlayStation-era entries rather than a full 3D reimagining.

The 108 Stars of Destiny — and Alliance Combat

Suikoden Star Leap — a silver-haired ally character joins the party in a pixel-art encounter scene at night
Image courtesy of KONAMI

The franchise’s defining mechanic — assembling 108 recruitable characters, each aligned with one of the 108 Stars of Destiny from Chinese mythology — returns in Star Leap. KONAMI’s official livestream Suikoden Live vol.6, which aired on 1 July at 8 p.m. JST on the KONAMI official YouTube channel, introduced three characters from the game’s Ran-Rin-Ten (乱凛天) martial arts faction, with voice actresses Miki Sasaki, Aimi and Ayasa Ito appearing as guests to discuss their roles.

The combat system retains the turn-based RPG structure of the originals while adding mobile-friendly convenience options including speed controls (×1.5, ×2.0) and an Auto mode for grinding. Characters can unleash 奥義 (Ougi) — signature ultimate skills tied to each Star’s archetype, shown in the trailers as dramatic full-screen anime-style cutaway attacks.

Watch the Official Battle Trailer

幻想水滸伝 STAR LEAP — Battle Trailer (Japanese) — via KONAMI official YouTube
Suikoden Star Leap — a blue-haired character unleashes a water-element Ougi ultimate skill in battle
Image courtesy of KONAMI

The Battle Trailer shows the combat flow: pixel-art party members face off against enemies on a detailed 2D stage while the portrait of the active attacker dominates the left side of the screen. Ougi animations burst into full-bleed kanji-overlaid splash art — exactly the dramatic manga-panel-esque combat flair long-time Suikoden fans will recognise from the console entries.

Pre-Registration and What SG Fans Should Know

Pre-registration is live now on the Japanese App Store and Google Play, with a Steam version also confirmed to be in development. The game is free-to-play with in-app purchases. No release date has been announced as of today.

For Singapore and Southeast Asian players: no English localisation or non-Japanese regional release has been confirmed yet. Whether KONAMI plans a wider Asian rollout — with English, Traditional Chinese, or Simplified Chinese support — is unknown. Some KONAMI mobile titles launch globally from day one; others are Japan-exclusive for extended periods. Until KONAMI announces otherwise, treat this as a Japan-only pre-registration for now. Japanese-reading fans can search for 幻想水滸伝 STAR LEAP on their local App Store or Google Play to pre-register directly. We will update as an English release is confirmed. Follow our Japanese-source game news for updates as they come in.

Game News

Deltarune Chapter 5 Drops 24 June — Free Update for Existing Players

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Toby Fox’s beloved indie RPG is about to get its most-anticipated update yet: Deltarune Chapter 5 launches this Wednesday, June 24 — simultaneously worldwide on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. If you already own Chapters 1 through 4, the new chapter is a free update.

DELTARUNE – Nintendo Direct 6.9.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

When can Singapore players get Deltarune Chapter 5?

The chapter drops at 11:00 PM SGT on Wednesday, June 24 (11:00 AM EDT / 3:00 PM UTC) — so Wednesday night is your window. The release is simultaneous on all platforms worldwide, which means no waiting for a regional rollout. Hit update on Steam, Nintendo eShop, or PlayStation Store at 11 PM and you’re in.

New to Deltarune entirely? The full package — Chapters 1 through 5 — is priced at USD$24.99 on all platforms. Check your regional store for local pricing.

What is Deltarune?

If you missed it: Deltarune is a free-to-play-then-paid RPG from Toby Fox, the one-man genius behind Undertale. It’s technically a parallel story to Undertale, featuring a cast of new and returning characters — including the reserved Kris, the brash Susie, and the endearing Ralsei — who dive into mysterious Dark Worlds to seal dangerous Dark Fountains threatening their town.

The game is known for its sharp writing, memorable music (entirely composed by Fox), and a battle system that rewards creative choices over raw power. Chapters 1 and 2 were released free in 2018 and 2021 respectively; Chapters 3 and 4 landed together in mid-2025 as part of the paid package. Chapter 5 follows roughly a year later — faster than many fans expected.

Deltarune Chapter 5 screenshot
Image courtesy of Toby Fox

What to expect from Chapter 5

Fox has been deliberately tight-lipped about spoilers — and intentionally so. In his official newsletter announcing the release date, he wrote: “I want to surprise people playing the Chapter for the first time, so I avoided showing the most exciting moments.”

What he did share hints at a tonal shift from the increasingly dark Chapter 4. Addressing the story’s gathering storm, Fox said: “In Chapter 4, we saw dark clouds on the horizon… That’s why, let’s not look there for now. Let’s turn around and watch the sun, before it goes down completely. Let’s smile again. Let’s have one more fun adventure, okay?”

GamesRadar reports the chapter carries the subtitle The Field of Pink and Gold, suggesting a warmer, more colourful adventure before the inevitable reckoning the story has been building toward. As Fox himself put it: “In my opinion, it fits well in the overall story of the game.”

Chapter 6 and 7: the road ahead

Deltarune is a seven-chapter project, and the good news is that Fox’s team is already deep into Chapter 6 development. From the same newsletter, here’s where things stand:

  • Cutscenes / NPC interactions: Making good progress
  • Overworld gameplay: All the basic gimmicks of the chapter are created
  • Normal enemies & bullets: Mostly complete
  • Boss & bullets: Working on the final battle’s bullet patterns

Fox noted that “this Chapter is easier to make than the others, so the development is going quite fast,” adding that “it’s not unrealistic that some staff members may start working on Chapter 7 before the end of the year.” Given that Chapter 7 is the planned final chapter, the end of Deltarune’s journey is now in sight.

Last words

Whether you are a day-one Undertale fan or someone who only just discovered Deltarune through word of mouth, Wednesday night is a great excuse to stay up past 11 PM. The update is free, the game is charming, and after years of waiting it really is nearly here. Singapore players — mark your calendars for June 24, 11 PM SGT. For more gaming news, keep an eye on GameTrader.

Game News, News

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

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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.

Game News, News

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

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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.