The magical day has arrived. Zen Studios today dropped three packs of Williams Pinball tables as DLC for Pinball FX VR. Now, to be clear, the initial release of Pinball FX VR was already pretty sizable, and the tables that Zen had already released have been keeping me quite busy since the game's release a little over a month ago. I've been merrily unlocking cosmetics and goodies, chasing high scores and earning trophies with tremendous good cheer.

Now that I have had a bunch of time to deck out my pinball basement, I can decisively say that Pinball FX VR is my favorite VR game of all time. I am not kidding. I have definitely spent more time in my pinball basement than I have in any other VR game in the history of the medium. The entire experience lights up the pleasure centers of my brain like...well...like a pinball machine.

But, great things can always get better, right? And today, Zen Studios expanded my horizons immensely by adding an entire new room and corridor to my pinball basement to house nine new tables. It's like going to sleep at night and having elves come in and repair all your shoes - and also add nine new pinball tables to your pinball basement. Here's what it looks like now:

So of course, this means that my Gaming Nexus pinball buddies Jeremy Duff and Joseph Moorer and I have to engage in an all out war for pinball supremacy. I have thrown down the gauntlet for an all out score battle to the death, and have set it to repeat. 

The terms: 

• One table per week (this week is Medieval Madness) 
• Arcade mode
• High score wins bragging rights

Each week, we will pick a new table and begin again. This guarantees that we have at least nine weeks of uninterrupted fun (and of course, the Tomb Raider tables will show up in there somewhere). It will further give each of us time to engage properly with all of the tables in our collections, making sure we squeak every drop of entertainment out of what is becoming one of the best products ever dropped onto the video game ecosphere. 

 Here is where we stand as of 1:00 PM EST today. I am Freezedried72. Duff is Duff3C. Joseph is a loser, and hasn't even started yet.

See you on the leaderboards, chumps. 

There’s a new anime-inspired action RPG coming to town and based on this initial reveal, it looks poised to be a major player. A new Singapore-based developer called Elementa has announced Silver Palace, a stylized Victorian-themed fantasy action RPG being built in Unreal Engine 5 for PC, mobile, and consoles. There’s no word on a release date, or even a release window at this point, but my word, if the final game is anything like these debut trailers – look out.

The first trailer is about three minutes long and introduces us to Silver Palace’s gothic fairy tale story, flashy combat, and some of the characters that we will meet along the way. You’ll play as a detective investigating various corporations, crime syndicates, and even the local royalty, each of which is vying for control of a mystical power called Silverium (how clever).

But the second trailer – well, the second trailer is the one you’ll really want to sink your teeth into if you have the game, showcasing an extended look at gameplay and various systems, in addition to the stunning world of Silver Palace.

Saying that I am eager to learn more about this game is probably an understatement. If you’re just as keen as I am, you can “pre-register” at the game’s website right here.

Meowingtons Simulator is not the type of game I would expect. Coming from Oberha5li Studios - the games studio co-founded by Joel Zimmerman, the man behind the mask of deadmau5, this is a ragdoll physics based music game. Essentially as the tracks roll you control deadmau5's cat, meowingtons, to create dance routines and move to the music. 

There is an absolutely ridiculous announcement video that does very little to really introduce the game but does seem to hit the right note to highlight the absurdity of the whole affair. But hey, I love deadmau5's music so I'm definitely in for learning more. But what the game essentially seems to drive at is you can customize your DJ and customize your cat, unlocking new cosmetics as you play. You can join up to seven other friends in a rave, and the core play loop is to "control Meowingtons’ head or butt independently using simple impulse sliders. Launch his limbs, pose mid-air, or smash into the club walls—all while grooving to the track. The result? A glorious mess of rhythm, ragdoll physics, and feline flair."

You can pick up Meowingtons Simulator on Steam. While I couldn't find any readily available videos of the gameplay, I did find this one of meowington dancing in real life. Press F for meowingtons. 

Mortal Kombat 1 is getting a "Definitive Edition" which is basically the complete edition which includes all of the updates and DLC released in the game so far. 

The definitive edition includes the following... 

• Mortal Kombat 1
• Kombat Pack 1
• Khaos Reigns expansion including both the story and Kombat Pack 2
• Mortal Kombat 2 Movie skins 

Well I looks like this is the end and to be honest, good riddance. Mortal Kombat 1 was a complete mess from start to finish. The game released and felt half baked and unfinished with hardly any content to unlock, and the only other single player mode aside from the story mode being Invasions mode which was a complete slog to play through. The story mode wasn't much better. We thought we were fully rebooting the series but then turning it into a sequel to Mortal Kombat 11 where it felt now like a Superhero movie. We now have multiverses and different versions of characters and it was just a shame because now it feels like Mortal Kombat has lost its identity. These characters are barely recognizable anymore from the characters that we have known and loved for 30+ years. 

I can only hope that whenever we get the next Mortal Kombat game that WB and NetherRealm go back to the drawing board and go back to basics. It is more than time for this series to get a full and I mean FULL reboot and leave this multiverse and timelines nonsense behind. 

"Have you ever been to the backrooms? Like... in your nightmares?" is a question I've asked more than once. In fact, it's a very typical question I ask. Call it an ice breaker.

So if you've ever been to the backrooms in your nightmares, or if you've played the backrooms games before, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, I have great news for you. Backrooms Level X is slated to drop on Steam May 29th, 2025.

This first-person horror based game allows players to explore the creepy, seemingly endless labyrinth known as the backrooms, on a quest for the one true prize - survival. As you delve into the backrooms, you'll find eerie visuals, sounds, lights, and maybe some encounters with the unknown (?) all in search of the exit.

So roll out the mildew scented yellow carpet, here are some features you're bound to find in Backrooms Level X:

• Exploration & Story: Uncover secrets and a gripping narrative across uniquely designed, mysterious environments.

• Atmospheric Horror: Oppressive soundscapes and haunting visuals create constant tension and dread.

• Puzzles & Survival: Face brain-teasing challenges and survive with nothing but your instincts.

• Expansive World: Explore over 13 eerie levels, each with evolving threats and story elements.

• Terrifying Bosses: Outsmart monstrous bosses lurking in the shadows. Escape is never guaranteed.

So if you're wanting to stroll through my nightmares, or if you just want to learn more, you can see the trailer here:

Backrooms Level X is now available to wishlist on Steam - but don't say I didn't warn you... 

Discovering cool-looking indie games is one of my favorite parts of being a gamer, and doubly so as a game writer. I bring these games to the Gaming Nexus audience from time to time, and today, I’d like to share the good news about Baseless, a planet-jumping shooter coming to Steam, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch later this year.

Developed by one-man studio, Fermenter Games, Baseless is a platform shooter with 360-degree gravity that challenges you to blast your way from planet to planet using powerful weapons. Firing your weapon means you’re moving in Baseless, so you’ll have to utilize your momentum wisely while making sure to hit your targets. Along the way you will rescue friends, acquire new weapons and equipment, and maybe even take time to play a fishing minigame back at your hub.

Andrew at Fermenter recently shared a walkthrough video of the game’s first mission, in which he does an excellent job of pitching what the game is and what you’ll be doing. Check it out:

Hold the phone, folks, we’ve got a new simulator heading our way. French developer Exkee has announced Rescue Ops: Wildfire, a firefighting simulation game focused on battling one of Mother Nature’s biggest foes. It features a realistic fire sim that accounts for wind strength and direction, resulting in unpredictable wildfire behavior to immerse you in the dangers of wildfire disasters, in addition to an authentic fleet of vehicles to operate which includes both trucks and helicopters (!!). Rescue Ops also features campaign and sandbox game modes, playable solo or with up to four friends in co-op.

Check out some other key features and the announcement trailer below. Rescue Ops: Wildfire will be available on Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox PC when it releases.

Features:

• Fight to control massive dynamic wildfires and determine the best strategies in Campaign and Sandbox mode, alone or with players worldwide.
• Operate a fleet of ground and aerial firefighting vehicles including fire engines and helicopters.
• Call in tactical support to gain the upper hand: deploy water bombers, have a water supply delivered, or ask for ground support to establish an attack or defense line.
• Gear up with cutting-edge equipment, developed with the support and expertise of professional firefighters.
• Charge into maps inspired by the world’s wildest regions, each with unique terrain and challenges

Capcom Fighting Collection 2 releases this Friday, May 16th. I know. A lot of people are excited to play Capcom VS SNK 2 online with rollback netcode natively on their consoles. I get it, that there are other games on this compilation, like the widely panned Capcom Fighting Evolution, and the rare sequel to Star Gladiator, Plasma Sword. This is all cool. I am going to enjoy all of it. But I already know what I'm going to enjoy the most. That should be played by everyone. Power Stone 1 is great, but Power Stone 2 is the absolute cream of the crop. 

I'll talk more about this gem of a game in my upcoming review, but we haven't seen Power Stone 2 since the Sega Dreamcast, and even then, I don't recall being able to play it online. I do remember countless days and nights playing it with friends, and looking at the clock later realizing we have to go to work. Power Stone 2 is the 4 player free for all party game that anyone can play. It's a phenomenal party game that everyone should pick up and play, and I'll definitely be picking up a physical copy for the Nintendo Switch (2), so others can play it via game share. 

To hype me up, Pax East held a showcase on Power Stone 2, and some very special guests showed up. The absolute star of the show, was Kenny AKA Unroolie, who is part of YoVideogames channel. Also making an appearance was WWE's Xavier Woods, and let's just say, that Kenny needed to double up to take on his opponent. Watch below, and skip through if you must, but there's some phenomenal gameplay here. 

As Evo Tokyo is finishing up, Sega decided to tease us a little more about it's upcoming Virtua Fighter project. Within the presentation, they gave us the intro for the returning Wolf Hawkfield. Yes, I agree, he does look like Ganondorf, but I digress. Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is still punching and kicking.

During this direct, literally the only game news to come of it, was the fact that Virtual Fighter 5 R.E.V.O is coming to Playstation, Xbox Series S/X, and Nintendo Switch 2, complete with rollback netcode. They also announced some merch, and a Spotify playlist for the music to the game, but we know what you really want. Maybe I can get Q The Gift to go a few rounds with me. Check it out.  

Stoic Studios was not shy when they described their upcoming free to play game Towerborne. It's intended to attract a lot of people of different genres. The headline to this article is not an exaggeration. This game really packs all those genres in one. The issue may be that it does it all at the exact same time. So if you're looking to just jump in and start beating things up, fighting unfair bosses, and finding trash can chicken, Towerborne wants you to work for it. Like a full time job at Microsoft Game Studios

When you start the game, it gives you a little bit of story. You are an Ace, reborn after a great battle has left the last refuge for human kind. It is a tower called The Belfry. This is where you are reborn, and then taken out for training. You are told why you are here, and what you are here to do. And you are not the only one. There are other aces. Lots of other Aces. Running around at once. You're all there to do something. But I still haven't figured out what that is.

Once I customized my character, which took about 5 minutes (You know I don't do customization), I was off and learning. After various narratives, I was told to venture out and go through what are called biomes. Biomes are hexagonal spaces on what looks like a board game. Once you complete the exploratory biomes, you can advance to the next one. Once complete, more of the world opens up. This is how you navigate the overworld, so if your character is eventually told to make their way toward a certain area, you must complete the biomes before them. There are biomes you can replay over and over to get your experience up. I did this twice, then stopped, because there are enough biomes to level up your character on it's own. 

Sometimes, the biomes are quick pick ups, or challenges to get more items. You don't know until the end screen what you picked up, so yes, I did find myself with a whole bunch of duplicate weapons and gear. Once I got your first weapons, helmets, shoulder pads, chest armor, belts, and foot wear, I found myself changing them out almost immediately. The more difficult biomes gave me better weapons and armor. a lot of them. Like maybe too many of them. For all four classes. Yes. Four classes.

The Sentinel class is the typical sword and shield combo. The Pyroclast arms you with a club that shoots out fire, and though it's slower, it's more powerful. The rockbreaker is the close quarters combat weapon. I didn't use this much in the early playthrough. The one I have been using is the Shadowstriker class, with two daggers, and is probably the fastest. This is the one I leveled up the most. Yes. You have to level up each class, individually. Which is why I stuck to Shadowstriker. 

While there are story elements to move you along in the game, the game also wants you to carry out side missions. So there are characters in the Belfry that you eventually have to talk to, and they will give you side missions. Some of these are "go kill 10 of these monsters and come back to me". and some of them are "Go to this place, kill all these guys by a certain time, and bring the thing back." These don't bog down the experience or anything, and who doesn't want more loot? It's me. I don't. Stop giving me stuff, Towerborne. You're making my inventory full, which happens, and then you can't carry anything else. You'll have to break things down

In the Belfry, there is a blacksmith. The blacksmith allows you to upgrade your weapons and armor to a maximum capacity, and until you, again, immediately get a new one. Then you can do the same thing to those weapons.  Most of your gear comes with different attributes You do this by using resources. You start with something called Basic Spirit Dust. You get dust from being in the outworld, carrying out tasks, or breaking down your excess armor and weapons. It took me a minute to figure out which weapons to break down and turn in for dust. I feel like this system needs to be streamlined and patched. I wish I could just do all the things at one station. Maybe I can. I did get used to it, but it took a while to get there.  

Your character is pretty versatile. You have a light attack, a heavy attack, and a jump. You can combo any of these into each other. You can do a full combo with just light attacks, or heavy attacks. The battles in the beginning are your various enemies, with different attacks. Some of them have a shield that you can break through with the hold of the heavy attack button. You also have a companion with you called an Umbra. The one you start with shoots out a fireball, but as you progress, you can get others by completing biomes. You can use special button combinations to trigger skills. While some skills are innate, and unlock with leveling up, others have to be equipped using skill points. However, the game will handcuff you. You have to be at a certain level to use some skills, no matter how many skill points you have. 

The game also doesn't allow you to take on harder missions on the map until you pass a test, located in the belfry. These skills tests will tell you what your level of gear should be before you take it on, and go up to level 5. The tests consist of fighting stronger enemies you may encounter in the more difficult parts of the world. If you find yourself tearing through biomes, you might want to try and level up with these tests, and they will net you better gear from the fights. Another thing you have to worry about. You can level up in overall experience, which is separate from leveling up classes, but you cannot step into level 3 biomes, until you pass the test for that particular level of difficulty. 

I took on all the above alone. The game wants you to play it in multiplayer, and it is chaotic. Multiplayer can be played locally, or online. You can either set up a lobby and have people help you with your missions, or jump into someone else's game and do theirs. I am not sure if it counts for you if your party completes a mission together and you're not the leader of the party. There are not many ways to communicate outside a discord or party chat, so sometimes, you can't equip the gaggle of new gear you have because the leader of the party starts the next mission with the quickness, and you're stuck in the loading screen with them until you ready up. 

There are three different currencies in the game, and they're all used for cosmetics. You can buy sets, or buy things ala-cart. Stoic was nice enough to provide us with some Belfry Bucks with the Founder's Pack. You can use these to buy cosmetic sets or to get Curio Cores. Curio Cores unlock even more cosmetics and emotes. Sometimes they have magic dust available. Then there are Writs, to get, again, more cosmetics. I get it, but as stated earlier, they're not for me. 

All that to be said, I'm not sure how long this one will go. Stoic is updating the game as they see fit. They make it clear that this is a game preview, and they are working out bugs. I got kicked out the game numerous times for trying to upgrade equipment. It's also a live service game, so if you're trying to play it on the go without an internet connection, it's a lost cause. You can't even play locally if you're console is offline. You can't even pause the game, because the enemies will still hit you. I made that mistake numerous times. The game even kicks you out if your controller turns off, or dies. 

As it stands, I'll dive back into it, but I might also wait for the finished product. No grades yet. I think it needs a lot of streamlining. I don't know if I've ever put this much work into a side scrolling multiplayer brawlers, so kudos to them for trying to reinvent the wheel. Don't watch that trailer thinking you're going to be that sweet out the gate. Clock in, grab a snack, sit down, and wait in the queue. It's going to be a long one.