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Game News

Wreckreation 2 Announced: Burnout Creator Goes Fully Indie

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Fiona Sperry, the director behind Burnout Paradise and one of the driving forces at Criterion Games during its golden era, has revealed Wreckreation 2 — and she’s doing it entirely on her own terms. The sequel is being developed by When Tides Turn, Sperry’s newly founded independent studio with no publisher attached, and is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam in 2027.

Wreckreation 2 gameplay screenshot showing Heartbreak City streets
Image courtesy of When Tides Turn

The Burnout Legacy Behind When Tides Turn

Sperry spent years at Criterion Games, where she led development on titles that defined the arcade racing genre — Burnout Paradise and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit among them. When Tides Turn is the studio she founded after going independent, and Wreckreation 2 carries forward the same ethos: aggressive, physics-driven driving in dense, lived-in environments where every car is a potential weapon.

The studio behind the original Wreckreation is now operating without any publisher, which means no compromise on design and no external pressure on release timing. For fans who feel modern racing games have drifted too far toward simulation, the return of Sperry’s no-publisher setup is a genuine signal of creative intent.

Wreckreation 2: Official Announcement Trailer — via IGN on YouTube

Welcome to Heartbreak City

The action unfolds across Heartbreak City — a dense open-world environment built with close-quarters chaos in mind. Unlike the first game’s sprawling open world that felt sparse in places, When Tides Turn’s stated focus for the sequel is a compact, tightly designed city with dense streets, freeways, airport runways, dockyards, and hidden backroads that reward learning the layout rather than just driving straight.

Wreckreation 2 — aerial view of Heartbreak City open world
Image courtesy of When Tides Turn

Modes Built for Mayhem

The confirmed mode list reads like a greatest-hits for fans of the Burnout era. Road Rage and Marked Man return alongside Pursuits, Blackspots, Wreckonings, and Eliminators. Rounding things out is the Live Mix tool — a creator mode for building custom challenges and races within Heartbreak City.

It’s an unusually complete-sounding feature list for an announcement-stage reveal, which suggests When Tides Turn has been developing in stealth for some time before going public.

Wreckreation 2 — Road Rage mode in action
Image courtesy of When Tides Turn

What Singapore Racers Need to Know

PS5 is the dominant gaming platform in Singapore, and arcade racers with a strong multiplayer hook — exactly Wreckreation’s wheelhouse — have consistently found a home in the local community. With PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC all confirmed, no players are left out.

Regional pricing and a specific release date within the 2027 window have not yet been announced. Given When Tides Turn operates without a publisher, pricing decisions will be their own to make — worth watching as more details emerge. For now, keep an eye on the Game News section here for any follow-up announcements.

Wreckreation 2 was announced on 21 July 2026. Sources: Gematsu, Insider Gaming.

Game News

Halo: Campaign Evolved Reviews Are In — 84 on Xbox, 81 on PS5

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The review embargo for Halo: Campaign Evolved lifted yesterday, and the first wave of critics have delivered their verdict ahead of Tuesday’s full global launch. Early access is live right now for Premium Edition and Collector’s Bundle buyers — and the scores land in broadly positive territory, though with some meaningful platform-specific caveats that PS5 players should factor in before parting with S$79.90.

We have been tracking this release since announcement — our last round-up covered early access details and the gold milestone — so here is the score breakdown and what the reviews mean for Singapore gamers heading into launch.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Metacritic Scores at Launch

Halo ring structure viewed from inside, with a planet visible beyond — screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Xbox Game Studios

Based on Metacritic, which aggregates critics across all three platforms:

  • Xbox Series X/S: 84/100 (26 reviews)
  • PlayStation 5: 81/100 (43 reviews)
  • PC (Steam / Windows): 77/100 (19 reviews)

OpenCritic puts the overall picture at an 88% recommendation rate across 58 critics — a strong endorsement even if the raw numbers look modest by Halo standards. For context, the original Halo: Combat Evolved scored 97 on Metacritic in 2001, so this remake technically carries the franchise’s lowest aggregate ever. That context matters less than it sounds: the critical split here is almost entirely about value-for-money rather than the quality of the core game itself.

What Critics Are Saying

Master Chief faces a Flood creature in a tense close-quarters encounter — screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Xbox Game Studios

The highest scores celebrate the ambition of the rebuild. VGC gave a perfect 10/10, calling it “an Unreal Engine 5-powered upgrade that elevates the original with sublime visuals, smart tweaks, and broad respect.” Push Square awarded 9/10 on PS5, describing it in their review as “a legendary shooter brought back in style — a faithful yet expanded and improved remake of an everlasting great.”

The middle tier sits around 8–8.5. Game Informer (8.5/10) wrote that “the core gameplay shows its age, but the magic that made this formula work is still intact.” IGN (7/10) acknowledged solid gunplay while wishing the three new prequel missions ran longer.

Halo: Campaign Evolved | Launch Trailer — via HALO on YouTube

PS5-Specific Issues Singapore Players Should Know

Cortana's holographic form in a rebuilt cinematic — screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Xbox Game Studios

The gap between the Xbox (84) and PS5 (81) scores is partly explained by platform-specific criticism. DualShockers (6.5/10) cited PS5 performance issues as currently “holding it back in major ways” — most notably, performance mode does not consistently hold 60fps during heavy combat. Push Square also flagged that DualSense adaptive triggers and haptic feedback are underwhelming, calling it “a missed opportunity to differentiate the PS5 version.” PS5 disc buyers should additionally note that a full digital download is required even with a physical copy.

Xbox Series X runs meaningfully better, which is reflected in its higher aggregate. And for Game Pass subscribers, the decision is easy: all Standard Edition players gain access from 28 July at no extra cost.

Is It Worth S$79.90 in Singapore?

Warthog vehicle firing its turret in a frozen cave — screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Xbox Game Studios

The honest answer depends on your history with Halo. If you are a PlayStation-only player who never experienced the original campaign, the PS5 version — performance dips and all — delivers one of gaming’s most influential shooter campaigns rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5, with three new prequel missions, four-player crossplay co-op, and a Campaign Remix replayability layer. Push Square’s 9/10 makes a strong case for first-timers.

For veteran Halo fans who have replayed the original, S$79.90 for a campaign-only package with no PvP and no Firefight is a harder sell — and that tension runs through every middling review. The game itself is good; the price-to-content ratio is where critics diverge.

UNSC soldiers in a newly reshot cinematic cutscene — screenshot from Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Xbox Game Studios

Halo: Campaign Evolved launches globally on 28 July 2026. Standard Edition is priced at S$79.90 on the PlayStation Store and Steam. Premium Edition early access players — including Singapore buyers who unlocked access today — also receive the Silver Anniversary Armor and Assault Rifle Styles, plus the newly added Sandstone Ancient armor style as a launch goodwill bonus. Follow our game news coverage for further updates as the July 28 launch approaches.

Game News

Halo: Campaign Evolved Goes Gold — SG Early Access Starts This Thursday

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Halo Studios has officially confirmed that Halo: Campaign Evolved has gone gold — development on the 1.0 version is complete, and the game is on track for its July 28 global release. For Singapore players, that means the wait is almost over: early access kicks off this Thursday, 24 July, for Premium and Collector’s Edition owners, with the full launch following on Tuesday, 29 July.

As we covered earlier this month, this marks the first time a mainline Halo campaign has ever come to PlayStation — so PS5 owners in Singapore are finally getting their shot at the Chief.

Master Chief faces off against a Covenant Elite in Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Halo Studios / Xbox

When Can Singapore Players Start?

The global release date of July 28 at 8 AM PDT works out differently for the Asia-Pacific region. Halo Studios confirmed in the official launch FAQ that Singapore and other Asia-Pacific markets are on the same schedule as Japan:

  • Premium & Collector’s Edition early access: Thursday, 24 July 2026 (SGT)
  • Standard Edition global launch: Tuesday, 29 July 2026 (SGT)

If you were planning to buy a physical copy at local game retailers and electronics shops, the disc should be on shelves for the 29 July date — physical availability in retail was confirmed as part of the July Community Q&A.

Halo: Campaign Evolved | Cinematic Story Trailer — via HALO on YouTube

What the July Community Q&A Revealed

Alongside the gold announcement, Halo Studios published a detailed community Q&A on Halo Waypoint answering fan questions ahead of launch. A few highlights that were not part of earlier coverage:

  • Machinima Mode is included — it supports freecam, lowered weapons, and controlling a Spartan without needing skull unlocks, so content creators and long-time fans of the original’s machinima scene will have tools to work with from day one.
  • Weapon dropping works differently here: you can drop a weapon for a teammate without automatically swapping to whatever is on the ground, which sounds small but makes co-op much cleaner.
  • Friendly fire can be toggled on or off by the fireteam leader — handy for co-op sessions where you’d rather not grief your squadmates.
  • AI behaviours have been improved since the earlier preview build that media played ahead of launch.
  • LASO mode uses a curated assortment of skulls rather than all 42, making it — per the team — “technically more like LAASO.”
A Warthog with turret blazes through an icy Forerunner cave in Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Halo Studios / Xbox

Operation: METEORITE — The Three New Story Missions

Every edition of the game includes Operation: METEORITE, a brand-new three-mission arc set a year before the events of the original Halo. The prequel follows Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson on a clandestine UNSC operation aboard a Covenant research vessel — it is effectively new canon, filling in story that Halo: Combat Evolved only implied.

Cortana rendered in stunning detail in Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Halo Studios / Xbox

Editions, Pricing and Game Pass

The game launches at USD 49.99 for the Standard Edition. The Premium Edition (USD 59.99–69.99) adds five days of early access — so Thursday 24 July in Singapore — along with a digital art book, weapon skins, armour cosmetics, and a digital manual. The Collector’s Edition at USD 199.99 is available via Halo Waypoint and mirrors the Premium digital bonuses with physical extras.

If you are on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, the Standard Edition is included in your subscription at launch — no extra charge. That is genuinely one of the better deals in gaming right now if you have not picked up Game Pass yet.

Pre-ordering the digital version before 7:59 AM PDT on 28 July also nets you the Foundry Armory Pack — legendary-style cosmetics for the Master Chief’s Mark V Mjolnir armour — which is also bundled with physical copies.

Sgt. Johnson leads a UNSC squad in Halo: Campaign Evolved's Operation Meteorite prequel missions
Image courtesy of Halo Studios / Xbox

Steam Deck Verified, Handheld Optimized on Windows

One more piece of good news for portable players: the July Q&A confirmed Halo: Campaign Evolved has earned Steam Deck Verified status (the highest Steam Deck rating) and is rated Handheld Optimized on Windows handhelds. Given how popular handhelds are becoming in Singapore’s gaming scene, that is worth flagging — the Chief plays just as well lying on your sofa as he does at a desk.

The interior of Installation 04 stretches out against a breathtaking planetary vista in Halo: Campaign Evolved
Image courtesy of Halo Studios / Xbox

Nine days to go — or four if you have the Premium Edition. You can follow all our gaming news coverage here on GameTrader.SG.

Rose Belmont, protagonist of Castlevania: Belmont's Curse
Game News, Game Preview

Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse Preview Roundup — Critics Call It a “Potential GOTY Contender”

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The hands-on preview embargo for Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse lifted this past weekend (July 17–18), and early impressions from the press have been overwhelmingly positive. Kotaku put it bluntly: “the game f***ing rules.” GameRant called it a “potential GOTY contender.” Eurogamer said “superb.” For a franchise celebrating its 40th anniversary, it’s the kind of reception Konami fans have been waiting years to see.

Paris and Notre Dame cathedral at dusk in Castlevania: Belmont's Curse
©Konami Digital Entertainment

Forty Years of Legacy, Reimagined in 1499 Paris

The preview builds drop players into a dark, beautifully rendered 15th-century Paris, set 23 years after the events of Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse. You play as Rose Belmont, daughter of the legendary Trevor Belmont, on a mission that threads directly into the franchise’s gothic mythology.

Crucially, Evil Empire and Motion Twin — the studio behind Dead Cells — have confirmed that Belmont’s Curse contains no roguelite mechanics. This is a pure Metroidvania: a hand-crafted world, permanent progression, and deliberate exploration. Rose’s moveset centres on seven distinct weapon types and the Arcana Whip, which doubles as a grappling hook for both traversal and combat. IGN praised the whip mechanics specifically, noting how fluidly it extends Rose’s reach in tight platforming sequences and mid-boss encounters. A tarot-based spell system and a Relic passive-ability layer round out the build options.

Rose fighting on the docks with Notre Dame in the background
©Konami Digital Entertainment

Boss Design That Demands Attention

Two bosses from the preview build — The Fallen and a reimagined Joan of Arc — drew widespread praise. Both were described as multi-phase encounters with striking visual design, using Paris’s rooftops and Notre Dame cathedral as dramatic backdrops.

Konami Producer Tsutomu Taniguchi and Evil Empire Creative Director Emmanuel Nouaille told the PlayStation Blog (July 17) that the team wanted every boss to feel “worthy of the Belmont legacy” while introducing entirely new narrative threads. PC Gamer called the overall package “a very solid Metroidvania with tremendous potential.”

Boss fight with golden flames and Paris skyline in Castlevania: Belmont's Curse
©Konami Digital Entertainment

Singapore Pricing and Pre-Order Details

Singapore players can pre-order now on the PlayStation Store ahead of the October 15, 2026 global release:

  • Standard Edition: SGD 35.50
  • Midnight Edition (adds Soundtrack + Digital Artbook): SGD 42.60
  • Pre-order bonus (all editions): Alucard Style Costume

The game launches simultaneously on PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Gameplay screenshot from Castlevania: Belmont's Curse
©Konami Digital Entertainment

We covered the initial Nintendo Switch confirmation and October release window earlier this month. The preview coverage this week makes it clear that Belmont’s Curse is shaping up to be one of the biggest titles of the 2026 holiday season — and one of the most anticipated Castlevania entries in years.

Images: ©Konami Digital Entertainment. Preview quotes sourced from PlayStation Blog, Kotaku, GameRant, Eurogamer, PC Gamer, and IGN.

Game News

GTA Online: The Kortz Center Heist Is Live Today — Art Theft on PS5, Xbox, and PC

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GTA Online: The Kortz Center Heist official key art
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

Rockstar has opened the vault. The Kortz Center Heist — GTA Online’s blockbuster summer 2026 update — went live this morning on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC as part of Title Update 1.73. As we covered when the update was first announced, this is the biggest new heist to hit GTA Online in years, and Singapore players can jump in right now.

What Is the Kortz Center Heist?

The Kortz Center art gallery exterior in GTA Online
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

The Kortz Center is Los Santos’ most prestigious cultural space — a Pacific Bluffs gallery packed with high-value artwork, tight security, and no shortage of cameras. Your job: team up with the mysterious art dealer Mr. Faber and his chief fixer Raf De Angelis, scout the building without raising any alarms, then pull off the cleanest heist in Los Santos history.

The approach is fully flexible. Go it alone or build a crew of up to three — the game scales challenge and payouts to your squad size. Rockstar is rotating in three new target paintings every week, so there’s a reason to keep coming back well after your first clean run.

The Art Studio: Your New Heist HQ

The Art Studio property upgrade in GTA Online for The Kortz Center Heist
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

Getting into the heist takes more than just showing up at the gallery. You’ll first need to own a Prix Luxury Mansion and purchase the new Art Studio expansion. This becomes your planning hub: your in-house counterfeiter produces duplicate paintings that slot into the Kortz Center walls while the originals end up in your hands.

If you own a Mansion and played GTA Online before July 13, you’re already ahead — Rockstar credited eligible players with a free Annihilator Stealth helicopter and a GTA$1,000,000 discount on the Art Studio upgrade as part of the Fine Art Collector pre-launch programme. Everyone who played online during that window also received GTA$500,000 and a free Benefactor Turreted Limo.

Scope It, Fake It, Take It

Art counterfeiting underway inside the GTA Online Art Studio
Image courtesy of Rockstar Games

The heist unfolds in stages. First, you head to the Kortz Center itself — stroll among the exhibits like any other visitor, discreetly photograph the target paintings without alerting security, and map your getaway routes. Then it’s back to the Art Studio to lock in your approach — quiet infiltration, all-guns-blazing, or something in between. Each week’s initial painting sale carries the best payout, so timing matters.

The full scope of rewards is still being discovered by the community, but the setup rivals the scale of past GTA Online marquee heists like Cayo Perico and the Diamond Casino.

New Vehicle and What Else Is In the Update

Title Update 1.73 also adds the Grotti Veleno GT, a new Super-class sports car, with GTA+ subscribers getting one week of exclusive early access from today. Rockstar Mission Creator also received improvements in this patch.

Context worth keeping in mind: with GTA VI confirmed for 19 November 2026, The Kortz Center Heist is shaping up to be among GTA Online’s final major story DLC additions before Rockstar’s full attention shifts to the new game. If you’ve been meaning to get back in, this is the send-off worth logging in for.

The update is available now — download sizes are 1.9 GB on PS5 and 5.1 GB on Xbox Series X|S. For more game news, check our latest coverage.

Source: Rockstar Games Newswire

Rayman and friends in the Once Upon a Time level from Rayman Legends Retold
Game News

Rayman Legends Retold Gets Surprise Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Crossover Skin Ahead of October Launch

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Ubisoft just dropped a fun surprise for fans of both Rayman and Assassin’s Creed: Rayman Legends Retold will include a playable Edward Kenway skin from Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag — and it’s already confirmed ahead of the game’s October 1, 2026 launch on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

The crossover skin, revealed just hours ago, sees the iconic pirate-assassin dressed in his signature white hood and dual hidden blades leap into the vibrant side-scrolling world of Rayman. It joins previously announced crossover costumes for AstroBot and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — a crossover lineup that spans both PlayStation exclusives and third-party darlings.

Rayman Legends Retold - Once Upon a Time level
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

What Is Rayman Legends Retold?

If you missed the June reveal during PlayStation’s State of Play, here’s the quick brief: Rayman Legends Retold is a reimagined remake of the beloved 2013 platformer, rebuilt from the ground up by Ubisoft Milan and Ubisoft Montpellier. The original game’s gorgeous UbiArt 2D visuals have been replaced with a 2.5D Snowdrop engine presentation — think lush 3D environments viewed from a side-scrolling perspective, peppered with full 3D cinematics.

But it’s not just a visual upgrade. The Retold version brings:

  • A brand-new sixth realm with an original storyline
  • Fully voiced cinematics featuring the returning cast
  • Four new musical stages (in addition to the classic ones)
  • Dragon rides starring Toad and company
  • A new Cave of Trials challenge mode
  • Improved Kung Foot mini-game with new arenas
  • 1–4 player local and online co-op

And here’s the kicker: every copy of Rayman Legends Retold includes Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition for free — the 2011 predecessor rebuilt in 4K/60fps with new collectibles and QoL improvements. That’s two full games in one package.

RAYMAN LEGENDS RETOLD | Reveal Trailer — Ubisoft
Rayman Legends Retold - Dragon Ride featuring Toad
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Editions and Pricing

Three editions are available at launch:

  • Standard Edition — USD $39.99 (~SGD 53–55): Base game + Rayman Origins: Enhanced Edition
  • Deluxe Edition: Adds the Retro Pack — four classic costumes (Classic Rayman, Betilla, Retro Hunter, Electoon Teensie) plus an Art Gallery unlock
  • Launch Edition: Includes the Hoodlum Havoc Pack with two Rayman 3-inspired costumes (available for a limited time at launch)

The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and weighs in at 23.4 GB on Nintendo Switch 2. It will also be available on GeForce Now and Blacknut cloud gaming platforms at launch.

Rayman Legends Retold - Lucha Chase gameplay
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Worth the Wait for Singapore Gamers?

At roughly SGD $53–55 for a package that includes two games, plus a stacked Deluxe Edition and a growing roster of fun crossover skins, Rayman Legends Retold is shaping up to be one of the better-value platformers of 2026. Switch 2 owners in Singapore should note the 23.4 GB download requirement — make sure your microSD card is ready.

Rayman Legends Retold launches October 1, 2026 on PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Ubisoft Store). Pre-orders are live now.

Game News

Once Human Hits PS5 and Xbox Series X|S on 25 August — Free with New First-Person Mode

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PS5 owners, it is finally happening. NetEase Games and Starry Studio have confirmed that Once Human, their wildly popular free-to-play survival MMO, launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on 25 August 2026 — and it will cost you nothing to download. After two years as a PC-exclusive, the game is finally crossing over to the consoles that dominate Singapore living rooms.

A Whole New Way to Play: First-Person Mode

Once Human gameplay screenshot showing exploration
Image courtesy of NetEase Games

The console launch is not just a straight port. Starry Studio is introducing a first-person perspective that sits alongside the existing third-person camera — players can swap between the two at any time, even mid-combat. Weapon animations have been rebuilt from the ground up to match the tighter viewpoint, and the shift fundamentally changes how shooting and resource gathering feel. For players who found third-person survival games a little removed, first-person Once Human is worth a serious look.

4K at 60fps or 120fps — Your Call

Console players get two graphics presets out of the box. Quality Mode delivers a native 4K image at 60 frames per second, while Performance Mode trades some resolution for a buttery 120fps on compatible displays. PS5 players also get DualSense haptic feedback tuned to the game’s world — low-frequency rumbles when giant creatures are nearby, and trigger resistance that shifts during boss encounters. It is a small thing, but it makes the PS5 version feel genuinely at home on the platform.

Once Human screenshot showing the post-apocalyptic world
Image courtesy of NetEase Games

Cross-Play and Cross-Progression From Day One

This is the detail that matters most for Singapore’s gaming scene. Once Human on console will launch with full cross-play and cross-progression between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. If you have been grinding on Steam since the 2024 PC launch, every hour carries over. If your friends are on different platforms, you are in the same session regardless. That kind of parity at a free-to-play title’s console debut is not something to take for granted — and it makes the August 25 date relevant to everyone, not just newcomers.

For an overview of what has been happening in recent game releases, check out our Game News section.

300+ Hours of Content at Launch

Once Human console launch promotional art
Image courtesy of NetEase Games

Console players are not getting a reduced build. The launch version ships with six full scenarios and an additional PVP spin-off, adding up to more than 300 hours of Day One content. There is also a paid option for players who want to hit the ground running: a Starter Pack at USD 9.99 and a Radiance Pack at USD 14.99 are available as pre-purchase options, though the base game remains entirely free.

Watch the Console Launch Trailer

Once Human | Global Console Launch on Aug 25 (PT) — via Once Human on YouTube
Once Human screenshot showing game environment
Image courtesy of NetEase Games

Once Human launched on PC in July 2024 and has accumulated a massive player base across Southeast Asia. The August 25 console release opens that same world to anyone with a PS5 or Xbox Series X|S — no purchase required. Mark the date.

Game News, News

AC Black Flag Resynced Hits 2 Million Sales in One Day

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Ubisoft’s Singapore-led remake of the beloved pirate adventure has made a stunning commercial debut: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced sold 2 million copies within its first 24 hours of release, making it the fastest-selling entry in the AC franchise in over a decade. The official milestone was confirmed by Ubisoft on 10 July — one day after the game launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

As we covered at launch, Black Flag Resynced is a ground-up remake developed primarily by Ubisoft Singapore — the studio with deeper roots in the Caribbean than anyone, having contributed to the original 2013 Black Flag’s ocean simulation and then spent a decade on the ill-fated Skull and Bones. Their full-circle moment has now also become a commercial one.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward Kenway overlooking a Caribbean harbour
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Record Steam Numbers for Assassin’s Creed

On Steam alone, Resynced peaked at 99,451 concurrent players on launch day — the highest ever recorded for any Assassin’s Creed title on the platform, surpassing even Assassin’s Creed Shadows. It also topped Twitch on July 9 by viewer count.

Critics backed up the player enthusiasm. Resynced sits at 85% on OpenCritic and 84% on Metacritic, making it the best-reviewed AC game since the original Black Flag — the very game it remakes. Ubisoft Singapore rebuilt the entire experience from scratch in the Anvil engine, with zero code carried over from the 2013 version.

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

A Rare Moment of Transparency from Ubisoft

Ubisoft disclosing concrete sales numbers is itself notable. The company stopped publishing unit-sales figures years ago, making this the first time it has shared a specific number for an AC game since the original Black Flag sold over 11 million copies back in 2013. Whether intentional PR or a sign of renewed confidence, the disclosure reflects just how strong a launch this has been.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward Kenway at the Jackdaw's helm
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

The Microtransaction Caveat

The launch has not been entirely smooth. Steam user reviews have landed at Mixed, with a significant number of players unhappy about optional microtransactions bolted onto what is a premium-priced title. Ubisoft has defended the base game as “the full, complete experience” with the paid add-ons sitting outside the core campaign — but the pushback is real, and Singapore players who have already bought into the game report that the optional DLC does not affect the story.

Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced — Edward diving through a coral reef wreck
Image courtesy of Ubisoft

Still Worth It for Singapore Players?

The critical consensus and commercial result suggest yes — and the Ubisoft Singapore angle makes it meaningful locally. Few games this generation carry a “Made in Singapore” stamp as prominently as this one, and the studio’s work has clearly resonated globally. If you have been on the fence, AC Black Flag Resynced is available now on Steam and at local game retailers and electronics chains.

For more game news, check out the latest on our game news page.

Game News

Persona 4 Revival: Yosuke Trailer Out, Character Changes Confirmed

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Atlus released a new Persona 4 Revival character trailer this week spotlighting Yosuke Hanamura — and alongside it, Persona Team General Producer Kazuhisa Wada confirmed that some of the character’s original dialogue is being updated for the 2027 remake.

Watch the Yosuke Hanamura Character Trailer

Persona 4 Revival – Yosuke Hanamura VA: Paul Castro Jr. — via SEGA Asia(EN) on YouTube

Who Is Yosuke Hanamura?

Yosuke is the protagonist’s first real friend in Inaba — a Junes employee’s son who rides his bike to school and has a habit of crashing into things. His Persona is Jiraiya, the legendary ninja toad, and he fills the wind-element support role in the Investigation Team.

The new trailer covers his story beats in full: the iconic garbage-can crash on the first day of school, hanging out at Junes, singing karaoke with the group, and his awakening to Jiraiya in the TV World. In the English dub, Yosuke is voiced by Paul Castro Jr. — this trailer is the most extended look yet at his performance across both dialogue and battle lines.

Chie and Yosuke discuss the Midnight Channel in Persona 4 Revival
Image courtesy of ATLUS

What Atlus Is Changing About Yosuke — and Why

Atlus is not leaving Yosuke entirely as he appeared in 2008. Speaking at Anime Expo 2026, General Producer Kazuhisa Wada addressed the issue directly: “He’s a little bit insensitive in terms of how he treats outsiders sometimes. So we wanted to lighten that up and make it a little bit more fitting for the world we live in now,” as relayed by My Nintendo News. He added that the adjustments are “mostly with Yosuke, really,” and that the core story stays intact.

One concrete example: a suggestive line about the protagonist’s manual dexterity was replaced with the more neutral “Actually, you do strike me as someone who’d be good at that.” The original 2008 release featured dialogue around Kanji and some of the female cast that leaned into a teenage-bro archetype that Atlus has now softened.

The reaction has been divided. Some fans welcome the changes, arguing certain lines would feel out of place in a 2027 release; others are concerned that smoothing Yosuke’s edges risks altering a dynamic that made the original memorable. Wada’s framing of “fitting for the world we live in now” suggests a deliberate middle path rather than a wholesale character rewrite.

A massive boss creature inside the TV World dungeon in Persona 4 Revival
Image courtesy of ATLUS

Persona 4 Revival Release Date and Singapore Availability

Persona 4 Revival launches on 18 February 2027 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. It will be available through Xbox Game Pass on day one — meaning Xbox subscribers in Singapore get it at no extra cost at launch. No Nintendo Switch 2 version has been confirmed. Final SGD pricing has not been officially announced and is to be confirmed closer to launch; expect it at major game retailers and digital storefronts.

This Yosuke trailer follows earlier character spotlights for protagonist Yu Narukami and Rise Kujikawa, so the remaining Investigation Team members are likely to get their own trailers over the coming months. If you missed it, Atlus also confirmed that MAPPA is handling the anime-style cinematic cutscenes for the remake. For more on upcoming JRPGs and game releases, check our Game News section.

Dynamic combat in Persona 4 Revival -- the protagonist strikes a Shadow enemy
Image courtesy of ATLUS