As enamored as I was in my recent review of Indiana Jones and The Great Circle, there was one game mentioned in the intro that I am even considerably more excited for - Doom: The Dark Ages. Releasing in less than a month the latest trailer has dialed my anticipation up to 11. What’s immediately evident in this installment is the increased use of melee abilities with the incorporation of the shield throw and some mace bashes and that some of the enemy encounters are dialing it up to 11 along with my anticipation with giants to slay and mounts to well… mount. 

This looks to be another epic chapter in an already iconic series that has gone from strength to strength in its last two releases, Doom and Doom Eternal. The game seamless blends wall to wall action, over the top narratives, and incredible metal music design into what is, in my opinion, one of the most just plain old fun gaming experiences of this current age. Can’t wait to jump into the Dark Ages on May 15th. 

Empyreal, a new action RPG from indie studio Silent Games, shared a new trailer at yesterday’s Twitch Galaxies showcase, offering a new glimpse at that the game ahead of its launch. Coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S on May 8^th, Empyreal is a complex and challenging third-person action RPG that poses big existential questions to players. You play as the member of an expedition to an unknown planet where you enter a mysterious ancient monolith to understand how it got there, and what power it still holds.

Empyreal’s cast of characters has their own personal questlines with multiple endings for each one, three weapon classes with unique abilities, and lots of loot to upgrade your weapons and armor. A demo for the game is available now, and it comes with a surprisingly low barrier-to-entry of $29.99, with a 10% launch discount on Steam.

I was off the grid most of the day yesterday and, much to my surprise, the video game industry did not grind to a halt in my absence. Far from it, in fact, as developer VOID Interactive announced that its acclaimed tactical first-person shooter, Ready or Not, is making its way to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Epic Game Store, and the Microsoft Store this Summer. No firm date was given, but pre-orders are live now on some platforms for three versions of the game: Standard Edition, Day One Edition, and Deluxe Edition. The Standard and Day One editions are the same package, except for pre-order bonuses, and both cost $49.99. The Deluxe Edition is $69.99 and includes the Home Invasion, Dark Waters, and another unannounced DLC.

Ready or Not is a spiritual successor to the old SWAT games from Sierra, which I cut my tactical FPS teeth on back in the day. You play as a Los Suenos Police Department SWAT team member across 20 missions that can be played either solo or with up to five players in online co-op, featuring deep tactical gameplay and authentic SWAT equipment to use in the field. You will need all the tools at your disposal to defuse hostage situations, active bomb threats, barricaded suspects, and more, in addition to the DLC missions that add six levels to package.

A Gaming Nexus colleague has been trying to get me to play Ready or Not on PC for a while now, so as a console-leaning gamer, I suppose I’m running out of excuses. Honestly, the former me that took SWAT 3 way too seriously back in the day is beyond stoked to play Ready or Not. Check out the new console announcement trailer below.

The Play Company, along with 2K, announced that as of RIGHT NOW, you can enter tournaments. I'm not talking local tournaments or online room tournaments. I am speaking on behalf of 2K, when I report that you can now enter tournaments from the comfort of your own game. 

In the play now section of your game, you can learn how to enter and access exclusive tournament, also using an app called Play OS. There will be free to enter tournaments, as well as fee based, and even celebrity hosted tournaments, all in game. All the time. This is the first time this has been done from inside the game. And yes, you can win cash prizes too! From the press release...

"The deal makes The Play Company’s flagship product, Play OS, an Official Tournament Platform for the game. The Play Company will be responsible for coordinating and running weekly tournaments, and marquee events hosted by celebrities and NBA stars. 2K will provide The Play Company with in-game promotion, social support and a dedicated menu button in the Play Now section for eligible players to learn how to access exclusive NBA 2K tournaments on the Play OS app."

The service is now live, and can be used with the play now section, and even in MyTeam. 2K promises additional tournaments are on the horizon. This is only available in the states as of right now, and this is insane. It's also available for NBA2k25, and no previous versions of the game, because yes. 

To enter the free to play tournaments, you must be 13 or older, where the fee based tournaments allow 18 or older in the US where permitted. Arizona is excluded. Play OS app is available ONLY for IOS right now. There is a website, but I didn't get too far. I found out the hard way. I guess maybe I need to go log into the Ipad. I'm kidding. I'm ineligible. 

Nintendo touts Mario Kart World as the "Biggest Mario Kart ever", which seems a little difficult to believe, given that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe had 48 characters, and ended up with 96 tracks. There was a lot announced today during the 15 minute Direct, and I even took a little bit of time to gather my thoughts. The game looks great, and there are a lot of features. I really hate to do this, but today's presentation didn't tell me this game was worth $80. 

Hear me out, Nintendo. I am someone who used to blame the people for Wii U's failure. I am also the one who is still wondering if I needed a PS5, and questioned it further when Final Fantasy VII Intergrade was released for the PC. I even lambasted others for giving praise to the PS5 Pro. With all that said, Nintendo had one shot to tell us why Mario Kart World for $80, and I think they need to have a nice long talk with your marketing team. 

Yes, new tracks are here, and rolling starts are cool. Yes, the reimagining of the classic tracks is cool. The battle modes, and the extension to 24 players, very cool. The fact that the open world isn't just open world, it's a way to find hidden objects, and costumes when you visit restaurants. I will even give you the amount of characters being available, though there are some noticeable omissions (Lonk from Pennsylvania). 

The Knockout mode is an interesting addition, where you have to be a certain rank to stay in the race. The battle modes are the same as those in Mario Kart 8, but I'm sure they come with more flair. There are new power ups, like the Hammer Bros suit, and the return of some old favorites. The game promises unlockables and stage hazards, too. It really could be the biggest Mario Kart ever. But is it? Really?

We were all waiting on baited breath to see why the flagship game for the Switch 2 was $80, and I, personally, can no longer defend the price. I can tell people until my heart's content that I will buy the bundle, therefore paying $50 for it, and call it a day. Even with all the online modes, chat settings, and game share modes, it just doesn't justify that price.

Your first game on the Switch to charge $70 was The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. Even then, I got it for $50, because I used game vouchers. I know what you're thinking, reader. That I can just ask Nintendo for a review copy. This is true, but I'm not the only one who writes for Gaming Nexus, so it's not that simple. Inside baseball. Game writers and streamers don't get everything we request.  

This isn't a question of what is Nintendo doing, because they could sell salt to a snail and ice to an Eskimo. Why is this ice better than the old ice though? Graphically, sure, it looks nicer. Is it Mario Kart? Yes. There was not one single thing in this presentation that made me say "I get it. I get that this game is $80." I don't. I don't at all. And I am not trying to be part of the mob that is pitchforks and torches. 

Don't worry. I won't be using any hashtags, and as soon as these preorders open up, I will be grabbing the bundle. (No free systems for me, either). If you find me someone who says this game is worth $80, I will stand down, but as of the first trailer, and this presentation, looks like I'll be going the digital pack in bundle route, and replaying BOTW and TOTK, at a better frame rate and a higher resolution, while waiting for the true star, Donkey Kong Bananza. 

Mario Kart World. Only $50 bucks!* (FIFTY BUCKS). Well isn't that nice? 

*when bundled

Grab your wands, warm up your cauldrons, and cast your spells, because the Wizdom Academy launch trailer just dropped in preparation for early access on Steam tomorrow, April 17th.

In this wizarding game, you'll step into the shoes of the headmaster of your own wizarding school. From creating and building your own school, to recruiting students and instructing them in the art of wizardry, you'll be able to grow your influence and become the world's foremost institution for magical learning.

As you continue to play, your strategy will evolve with the game. By managing your resources, you'll be able to provide your students with the rare resources they need to thrive as they grow their learning and become the strongest sorcerers the world has seen. But the game doesn't stop at your institution's doors - this game extends to local villages and beyond so you can create magical alliances, defend your land, uncover hidden spaces, and more. 

If spellcasting and strategic buildings are up your alley, check out the launch trailer.

Fantasy life sim adventure, Palia, is making its way to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on May 13^th, developer Singularity 6 announced today. The cozy free-to-play title will feature cross-platform support across all systems, including the previously released PC and Nintendo Switch versions.

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series launch will coincide with the release of the new Elderwood expansion for the game, which adds a dense and mystical forest to the world of Palia. Originally released in open beta back in 2023, Palia lets players craft, explore, relax, and build the home of their dreams, either solo or with their friends. There are also seasonal events, minigames, trading, and storylines waiting to be discovered.

Check out the new Elderwood expansion trailer below:

Story time. I've been with Gaming Nexus going on about 4 and a half years now. I have all the consoles, and a PC, plus a couple of handhelds I might do away with soon (Looking at you, Playstation Portal). I also have a Meta Quest 3, and though I should probably use it more often, I don't. I just don't. I don't know why. But I don't. Every now and again, our editor in chief screams VR into our faces, and the experiences have worked out. Because of him, there's a pinball machine in my backyard. 

Yes, what you're seeing is a whole pinball machine in my back yard. There are multiple pinball machines in my backyard. Pinball FX VR lets you the whole mixed reality thing, and with no shipping, or strange people carrying video games through my yard, I have pinball machines in my back yard. I know what you're thinking...are you really in your backyard? Yes. Yes I am. This is me, looking like a silly fool, in my backyard. 

Pinball FX VR also adds effects to your pinball experience. Scores pop up when you hit the targets and bumpers, and Indiana Jones himself stands beside your table like a drunk bar patron. He cracks his whip every time you do something cool. You can turn it off, if it gets too jarring, but this thing looks real. It's insane how real it looks. The best part about this, is that you don't have to hold your hands at the "side of the table" to use the flippers, so I don't know if that helps the look, but it does help the comfort. 

I get it. If you're looking out the window and see me flipping my fingers, don't call the police. I'm not having an episode. I'm playing pinball, and I promise to get the divots out of the grass later. I'm off to beat the top score in Indiana Jones. 

A "quality of life" patch is coming to Marvel VS Capcom Fighting Collection. I know what you're thinking. How can they patch a game that came out years ago. Well, it's not necessarily a patch for upgrading the game, but more so to make people happy. Capcom has promised not only graphical updates, but retro active patches as well. 

This mostly applies to X-Men VS Street Fighter, where you can now choose the version of the game you want to play. The arcade version had been updated and balanced over time, removing some of the infinites, and changing how a move works. Now, you can choose how you want to decimate your friends, if you want to let them play at all. Not sure if there will be an online mode for these other modes. 

Marvel Vs Capcom 2, however, gets a graphical update. The resolution will be better for this game, more for the background than anything, and you can choose which graphics you prefer in the menu.

All titles will receive a VS mode, and the ability to reset the game directly from the pause menu, instead of exiting the game in full. Menus can now be toggled to need a long press so you don't accidentally push the button to pause the action mid game. There are new remixes and artwork coming too. All of these changes will apply to Capcom Fighting Collection, as well as Capcom Fighting Collection 2. 

Is Capcom listening? Are we about to be in Fighting Game heaven for the next few years? Only time will tell. Ya'll keep playing, please! The update releases on April 16th. 

I am, admittedly, not an RPG-guy. Nothing against them, but I have a very short attention span when it comes to gaming, and I can never seem to stick with them. There have, however, been exceptions to that in my gaming-life, where games that I “shouldn’t” (by my standards) get into but I get completely sucked into. For some reason, the Lunar franchise is one of those! I have always loved the Lunar games since I first played them on the Sega CD and am SUPER excited to see remastered versions coming this week.

In preparation for this week’s launch, GungHo has released a story trailer to get those who aren’t familiar with the franchise clued in on what to expect (and a refresher for those who haven’t seen it in a while. Lunar Remastered Collection brings Lunar: Silver Star Story and Lunar 2: Eternal Blue together into a single package on the PC, PS4 (playable also on PS5), Switch, and Xbox One (playable on X|S) and launches this week, on 4/18/25. Check out the trailer below: