The Pokémon Company has released a new update for Pokémon GO, which adds a brand new feature called Super Mega Raids. The update is available just in time for Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos – Global on February 28.
Super Mega Raids are a brand new type of Mega Raid. In order to enter them, you’ll need to collect Link Charges using the new Link Holder. During the raid, you’ll fight more powerful variations of Mega-Evolved Pokémon. The developers recommend that you battle them alongside at least seven other raiders, who all have a Mega-Evolved Pokémon of their own. You can collect more link charges in Pokémon GO Tour: Kalos – Global, which will last from February 28 to March 1.
The Pokémon Company outlines more details about the differences between Super Mega Raids and regular Mega Raids:
During Super Mega Raids, you may find that the opposing Mega-Evolved Pokémon becomes enraged and puts up shields, reducing the amount of damage it takes from normal attacks. You and your teammates will need to work together to take down its shields—but each Trainer can only take down one shield!
Once the opposing Pokémon becomes enraged and activates its shields, a Mega-Evolved Pokémon from your battle party will be automatically sent into battle if you do not have one out already. Your Mega-Evolved Pokémon’s next attack will be powered up significantly, allowing you to break one of the opposing Pokémon’s shields easily! After you and other Trainers have broken enough shields, the opposing Pokémon will return to its normal state, and your attacks will do normal damage again until the end of the battle.
Lastly, Pokémon GO is available now on iOS and Android.
Capcom has finally confirmed that the casting for both Leon Kennedy and Grace Ashcroft in Resident Evil Requiem. Nick Apostolides will reprise his role as Leon, while Angela Sant’Albano makes her series debut as Grace.
Nick Apostolides first debuted in the Resident Evil franchise in the Resident Evil 2 Remake. He would go on to return in Resident Evil 4 Remake. Other notable voice actors of Leon include Paul Mercier in the original Resident Evil 4 and Matthew Mercer in Resident Evil 6. As for Angela Sant’Albano, this is her first time working as a voice actress. She has previously appeared in the Industry series and played a minor role in Disney’s Dumbo remake.
Introducing our talent. Angela Sant'Albano makes her Resident Evil debut as Grace Ashcroft, and Nick Apostolides (@Nik_apostolides) returns as Leon S. Kennedy in Resident Evil Requiem.
A Resident Evil Requiem Deluxe Edition will be available with the Standard Edition ($69.99), alongside a Premium Steelbook Edition ($89.99). A special edition Resident Evil Requiem Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($99.99) with designs from the game and a gunmetal-black finish will be available from Nintendo on launch day, and pre-orders are live in the My Nintendo Store.
Nihon Falcom has revealed new details and screenshots for Kyoto Xanadu going over characters Masayuki Rikudo, Shu Kadenokoji, Toushu, and LinoN. The voice cast for the four new Kyoto Xanadu characters was also revealed.
The leader of the top-ranking team “Juuikkoku” and the student council president, who wields tremendous authority at Hirasaka Academy.
Strict on both himself and others, he carries himself with constant dignity and exudes a quiet aura of intimidation that compels those around him to follow.
Possessing both proven ability and strong leadership, he is respected by many. However, he exhibits an unusually cold and dismissive attitude toward his younger sister Fuka.
Shu Kadenokoji (voiced by Kazuki Ura)
Age: 18
Soul Device: Fan and amulet types
The sub-leader of the team “Juuikkoku,” known for his lighthearted demeanor and refined Kyoto dialect.
He comes from a family that for generations has produced leaders of the Japanese government’s anti-otherworld organization, the “Bureau of Onmyo.” Within the academy, he represents the members dispatched from the Bureau of Onmyo.
Although he appears to have a personality completely opposite to that of Masayuki, who is his best friend from childhood, the two work well together. He has also known Fuka since they were kids.
Toushu (voiced by Megumi Toyoguchi)
Age: 40
A mysterious woman who conceals her face behind a mask and serves as the head of Hirasaka Academy.
She gathers “Chosen Ones” affiliated with various factions, as well as qualified individuals like Rei who do not belong to any specific organization, and has them compete to conquer Hirasaka Xanadu. However, she generally does not interfere with their chosen courses of action, instead watching over their fates as though taking pleasure in it.
LinoN (voiced by Hina Aoki)
A virtual singer who gained worldwide popularity for her gifted voice. The protagonist, Rei, is a huge fan.
Through her enchanting avatar, she has released a wide variety of songs to the world. However, about a year ago, she abruptly went on hiatus, leading to various speculation regarding the truth behind it.
Kyoto Xanadu, previously dubbed the Tokyo Xanadu New Project, will launch in summer 2026 for Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. In the meantime, fans can catch up with the Nintendo Switch version of Tokyo Xanadu eX+, which includes 60 FPS support, a revamped localization, a high-speed Turbo mode, and all previously released DLC.
Final Weapon’s review of Tokyo Xanadu eX+ notes that the Nintendo Switch version is the best version on consoles. With a 3.5 out of 5 score, Final Weapon’s review notes that “despite its story and combat-related flaws, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ still presents RPG fans with a great offering of content and features that will make them want to explore Tokyo and discover the secrets of the underworld.”
Inti Creates has released the Card-en-Ciel Expansion Pass for $9.99 alongside the first DLC pack, The World of Gal Guardians Servants of the Dark. The DLC is included with the Card-en-Ciel Expansion Pass, alongside an exclusive bonus card “Neon Additional Card.”
The first DLC of the Card-en-Ciel Expansion Pass includes Gal Guardians Servants of the Dark-themed dungeons, additional cards, additional Muse, and Random Events. To start the DLC, the “TACTICAL COMMUNICATION” dungeon must be cleared first. The World of the Blaster Master Zero series will be the next DLC release on March 12.
Card-en-Ciel Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is available for $34.99 alongside the sixth content update for all platforms. The free update brought “Real Challenge Battles,” improved network play, a new Extra Dungeon, and much more. Card-en-Ciel Nintendo Switch 2 Edition brings support for 4K, up to 120 frames per second via included performance modes, and mouse controls. Fans who own the Nintendo Switch version can upgrade for $9.99.
Card-en-Ciel is also available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. A free Card-en-Ciel demo is also available with contains two main dungeons from the full game, along with a tutorial dungeon. These dungeons are replayable, allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the roguelite experience. Save data from the demo may be transferred over to the full game.
Lastly, the official Card-en-Ciel soundtrack is now available on Steam for $24.99. Current owners of the game may receive a discount on the soundtrack by completing the bundle. The soundtrack features 17 background music tracks alongside all 50 vocal songs performed by Card-en-Ciel’s Muses for a total of 67 tracks. Album art and metadata for the music is also included.
I have made no secret of my difficulties with the metroidvania genre. While they have always interested me from a distance, when I actually pick up one for myself, I usually end up being too frustrated to continue. I rarely find a metroidvania that makes me want to power through my difficulty with the genre. The few times that I have, though, have left me with games that I remember fondly for the rest of my life. Altered Alma promises to be one such title.
Altered Alma is a cyberpunk-themed metroidvania, releasing soon on PC via Steam. I recently had a chance to check out the updated demo, which will be available very soon. Despite my misgivings about the genre, I found myself deeply enamored by the visuals, gameplay, and narrative premise, and I’m very excited to see how the finished product comes together.
Altered Alma begins with a beautifully animated cutscene, featuring our protagonist Jack and her robot companion VERA, infiltrating a mysterious facility before escaping from armed assailants. She is thrown into the darkest depths of Neo Barcelona with a simple goal: escape, before her would-be captors try to “literally rip her arms and legs off.” Along the way, she will fight through robots and make new friends, all while she repairs her ship so it is capable of escaping the city, once and for all.
This premise works fantastically and was enough to get me invested in the narrative. In the demo, you only get a few teases of how the story will progress from here. For one, you get to hear a little bit more about why Jack is on the run and meet some of the allies that she will recruit to help her fix her ship. The game promises to feature deep dialogue trees for these characters and even romances. I’m certainly excited to see how this mechanic comes to life in the full game, as I never thought there would ever be romances in a Metroidvania.
One of the highlights of the demo for me was just how beautiful the presentation is. Everything, from the background to the character sprites, to even the music, all had me enamored throughout my short time with Altered Alma. Starting with the visuals, it features a rich pixelated artstyle that, unlike others that use the same style, feels natural and not too grating. It pairs well with the backgrounds, which realize a cyberpunk version of Barcelona in stunning detail.
There are tons of small easter eggs and nods to other cyberpunk stories that I got a huge kick out of. You can find a few Akira posters in the background, plus a holographic ballerina that reminded me a lot of Blade Runner 2049. There are also many locations modeled directly off of Barcelona itself. I’m curious to see more of these locations as the game comes together. Further, I really liked the music, which is fast-paced techno that had my blood pumping as I tore through enemies.
Speaking of tearing through enemies, as someone who often finds myself averse to navigating through mazes and fighting punishing battles, I actually had a lot of fun with Altered Alma‘s gameplay. The action feels fast-paced and features a more melee-focused approach, forcing me to dash between enemies in order to survive and get the upper hand. Of course, it wouldn’t be a metroidvania without new weapons and tools to unlock.
There were a few great ones in the demo, such as one that allows you to use a knife to teleport to surfaces and directly to enemies, adding more utility to your movement. When it comes to exploration, you can also utilize VERA to unlock doors that have switches that are out of reach. There were still moments where my old frustrations towards the genre flared up, though. For instance, it was hard to figure out where I needed to go, which doors were accessible via a hidden entrance, backtracking to a different location, or were blocked due to the demo. However, thanks to the overall quality of Altered Alma so far, these issues weren’t enough to negate my enjoyment.
All things considered, I loved my brief time with Altered Alma. Despite my reservations towards the metroidvania genre, the presentation, story, unique mechanics, and even the gameplay highlighted in the demo were enough to make me very excited for the full game. While we still don’t know when that release is coming, you can try Altered Alma for yourself on PC via Steam with the latest demo.
Sony Interactive Entertainment is shutting down Bluepoint Games, the PlayStation subsidiary studio that has been at the forefront of some of PlayStation’s most successful remakes, including Shadow of the Colossus and Demon’s Souls. The news was broken by Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, who confirmed that roughly 70 employees will lose their jobs with the closure of Bluepoint Games.
The decision to shut down Bluepoint Games was made “following a recent business review,” a PlayStation spokesperson told Bloomberg. Bluepoint Games will officially close down in March 2026.
“Bluepoint Games is an incredibly talented team and their technical expertise has delivered exceptional experiences for the PlayStation community,” the PlayStation spokesperson said. “We thank them for their passion, creativity and craftmanship.”
Bluepoint Games’ closure comes a year after its live-service God of War game was canceled in January 2025. At the time, PlayStation said it was working with the studio to determine their next project. The studio began to pitch new ideas for projects in the year leading to the closure.
Bluepoint Games worked on a number of high-profile remasters and remakes for PlayStation, including Uncharted and Shadow of the Colossus. Sony acquired the Austin-based studio back in 2021 after the successful launch of Demon’s Souls for PlayStation 5. The studio would go on to co-develop God of War Ragnarok in 2022.
Maximum Entertainment, Secret Base, and Arc System Works have released four free DLC characters for Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons, including Armored Okada, Jackson, Jim Mackey, and Bimmy Lee.
Get the rundown on each new character below:
Armored Okada
Despite being the Oyabun of the Okada Clan, Lady Okada faces constant discrimination from the elders. When a powerful threat emerged, the elders presented her with the sacred clan armor – a challenge disguised as support. If she triumphs, she earns their respect. If she fails, she proves them right.
Jackson
A heavyweight boxer known for his lightning-fast jabs and devastating uppercuts. Once too strong for the ring, he grew bored of rules and regulations. Seeking greater thrills, he turned to the streets, where his power and skill made him a prized asset for every gang.
Jim Mackey
The younger brother of M.G. Willy, Jim respects his brother but refuses to live in his shadow. Determined to become his own man, he dreams of leading his own gang. To set himself apart, he wields a shotgun – the opposite of Willy’s machine gun.
Bimmy Lee
Legends speak of a secret within the Sōsetsuken – a form that can only be mastered by two. The tale has been passed down for so long that few believe it, dismissing it as myth or joke. But could this be the proof…?
Lastly, Double Dragon Gaiden: Rise of the Dragons is available now for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
The Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road Orion & Lumen DLC update is described as follows:
“The next grand stage awaits Sonny Wright (Asuto Inamori) and his friends: the Football Frontier International! But mysterious footballers known as the Disciples of Orion are looming on the horizon…”
Previously, LEVEL-5 released the Ares & Fabled Seed update for Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road on January 28. The Ares & Fabled Seed update introduced new features and the opening of the Ares Route in Chronicle Mode. Players can expect “a blazing football drama about boys and girls striving for the very top.” LEVEL-5 also distributed the “Fabled Seed,” a special item that lets players upgrade one character of choice to the Fabled rarity.
What’s more, LEVEL-5 CEO Akihiro Hino revealed that he’s begun work on the sequel to Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road, and development for new mobile game Inazuma Eleven: Cross, is underway with Aiming. Inazuma Eleven: Cross includes simulation gameplay with command-based controls and an original story with a new protagonist, who becomes a coach and builds their own team. Players don’t control each player individually but instead act as a coach who determines the outcome based on team customization and in-game decisions.
Matches can be played automatically, and player data from Inazuma Eleven: Cross will be compatible with the upcoming Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road sequel. A closed beta test for Inazuma Eleven: Cross began on January 29 (JST) in Japan, and it was limited to only 20,000 users in the region.
In Japan, Etrange Overlord Standard Edition copies cost 8,580 yen, and Limited Edition copies cost 12,980 yen for Nintendo Switch in Japan. Limited Edition contents include a special box, a 3-disc original soundtrack, a one-disc theme song CD, an art book, and a hololive collaborative bonus DLC Sweetia costume “Tsunomaki Watame Ver.”
The official website for the upcoming anime adaptation of Kazuki Amamiya’s Haibara’s Teenage New Game+ (Haibara-kun no Tsuyokute Seishun New Game) light novel series revealed two additional characters (shown above) and their respective cast members. The new characters include: Ryōta Suzuki as Tatsuya Nagiura and Tomohiro Ōno as Reita Shiratori.
Previously announced cast members include:
Yūto Uemura as Natsuki Haibara
Kanon Takao as Hikari Hoshimiya
Kanna Nakamura as Miori Motomiya
Aya Yamane as Uta Sakura
Sayumi Suzushiro as Yuino Nanase
The anime’s staff includes:
Director: Misuzu Hoshino
Studio: Studio Comet
Script Overseer: Keiichirō Ōchi
Character Designer: Hiromi Ono
Composer: Sōnosuke Takao
Art Director: Seo Gu Lee
Color Design: Aiko Yamagami
Director of Photography: Shintaro Sakai
Editing: Hideaki Murai
Sound Director: Yayoi Tateishi
Sound Production: Jinnan Studio
Hobby Japan shipped the first volume of the light novel from Kazuki Amamiya in December 2021. A full-color vertical comic adaptation by Misaomaru also launched in June 2023. Further, the final arc began with the ninth volume on July 1, 2025.
Lastly, J-Novel Club publishes the series in English and describes the story:
We all have embarrassing memories or deep regrets from high school, right? Socially anxious college senior Natsuki Haibara sure does. When he thinks back on that time of his life, all he has are fleeting fantasies of a happy adolescence that could have been. Imagine his bewilderment and surprise, then, when he inexplicably finds himself seven years in the past—one month before his first year of high school!
Can Haibara avoid his previous mistakes, make his way to the top of the school social pyramid, and end up with the girl of his dreams? Or will he be forced to relive three years of solitude as the most hated guy in school? He’ll need all the help he can get in order to succeed, from a workout regimen to online how-to guides, a childhood friend, and plenty of sheer willpower. Watch as Haibara takes a second shot at his teenage years!
