Square Enix has released a new trailer for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined introducing party member and prince of Estard, Kiefer. Joined by the protagonist of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Kiefer races around the island to uncover the world’s mysteries, and he’s quite proactive in all he does.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches on February 5, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. A physical Collector’s Edition will be sold featuring a Ship in a Bottle figure, Slime Plush, Steelbook, and more. Moreover, a Digital Deluxe Edition will be available with 48 hours of early access, a unique costume for playable character Ruff and three paid DLC packs. Purchase any edition of the game early to receive the Early Bird Bonus, which will give players a Dragon Quest VIII costume for the Hero and three Seeds of Proficiency. Digital purchases include a Slime Shield specific to each platform.
TOHO animation has announced that My Hero Academia Vigilantes Season 2 will premiere in January 5, 2026. More cast and staff members for the anime were revealed alongside a new trailer and key visual, and Crunchyroll has revealed the anime’s English dub cast.
THREEE performs the opening theme song “CATCH!!!,” and shytaupe performs the ending theme song “Miss you.”
Kenichi Suzuki is directing the anime series at BONES FILM. Yōsuke Kuroda will write and oversee the series scripts. Moreover, Takahiko Yoshida is the character designer, and Yuki Hayashi is composing the music alongside Shōgo Yamashiro and Yūki Furuhashi.
Additional staff members include:
Art Director: Yukihiro Watanabe
Color Design: Haruko Nobori
Director of Photography: Eiei Cho
3DCG Director: Mizuki Sasaki
Editing: Kiyoshi Hirose
Sound Director Masafumi Mima
The cast of My Hero Academia Vigilantes Season 2 includes:
My Hero Academia Vigilantes Season 2 English Dub Cast
Koichi Haimawari a.k.a. The Crawler voiced by Shuichiro Umeda / Jack Broadbent
Kazuho Haneyama a.k.a. Pop☆Step voiced by Ikumi Hasegawa / Macy Anne Johnson
Knuckleduster voiced by Yasuhiro Mamiya / Jason Marnocha
Christopher Skyline a.k.a. Captain Celebrity voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa / Sean Schemmel
Makoto Tsukauchi voiced by Asami Seto / Molly Searcy
Naomasa Tsukauchi voiced by Tokuyoshi Kawashima / Alejandro Saab
Monika Kaniyashiki a.k.a. Kaniko voiced by Kana Ueda
Taishiro Toyomitsu a.k.a. Fatgum voiced by Kazuyuki Okitsu
Tsunagu Hakamada a.k.a. Best Jeanist voiced by Hikaru Midorikawa
Shinya Kamihara a.k.a. Edgeshot voiced by Kenta Kamakari
Toshinori Yagi a.k.a. All Might voiced by Kenta Miyake
Scarred Man voiced by Taku Yashiro / Aaron Campbell
Shota Aizawa aka Eraserhead voiced by Junichi Suwabe / Christopher Wehkamp
Oboro Shirakumo a.k.a. Loud Cloud voiced by Kensho Ono
Nightdive Studios has revealed that the System Shock Remake will release for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 on December 18. A new dev diary for the game has also released.
On the Switch 2, the game will support mouse controls via the Joy-Con 2. The new version will also include gyro aiming and “new features inspired by community feedback.” Check out the new dev diary for System Shock Remake, showcasing the challenges developers faced in the port for Switch and Switch 2, below:
System Shock is available now on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Steam page describes the game as follows:
System Shock is the fully fledged remake of the ground breaking original from 1994, combining cult gameplay with all-new HD visuals, updated controls, an overhauled interface and all-new sounds & music; it even has the original voice actor of SHODAN, one of gaming’s most iconic villains. Witness the rebirth of one of the greatest and most influential games ever created.
Meet SHODAN. The psychotic AI has taken control of Citadel Station and turned the crew into an army of cyborgs and mutants; She now plans to do the same to Earth. You must explore and battle your way through the depths of a space station gone to hell. Stop SHODAN and avert humanity’s destruction.
Features
Fight to death in the depths of space
Face off against the forces of a rogue AI gone mad
Improve your skills and adapt to take on your foes
Discover a non-linear story unfolding at your own pace
Jack into cyberspace to hack the system and open other routes
Innovative art style combines retro future design with modern technology
GKIDS and IMAX have announced that it will be partnering to release 4K restorations films by Studio Ghibli in IMAX in 2026. The films will release in North America after the success of both The Boy and the Heron and Princess Mononoke in IMAX.
The new versions of the films will be overseen by Studio Ghibli’s Atsushi Okui, who has been with the company since 1993. Recently, he was the Director of Digital Imaging on The Boy and theHeron, the first film from Ghibli to launch in IMAX. In a statement, Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, said the following:
“Studio Ghibli has long been synonymous with exceptional storytelling and a devoted global fanbase, and we’re ready to build on our strong foundation with the studio as we partner with GKIDS to bring some of its most celebrated titles to IMAX. As animation continues to thrive as a box office and cultural force, IMAX is poised to meet that demand at scale as the industry’s only truly global platform for cinema.”
Further, Eric Beckman, CEO of GKIDS, said this in regards to the news: “GKids is thrilled to extend our relationship with Imax for more Studio Ghibli releases. As a company, GKids is a champion of the shared theatrical experience – and what better way for fans to experience the unparalleled visual beauty, immersive worlds, and deeply humanistic storytelling of Studio Ghibli than in Imax. The original picture and sound elements are being lovingly and meticulously restored in 4K by Studio Ghibli and we are beyond excited to be able to share the results with North American audiences.”
GKIDS and IMAX will reveal which films from Studio Ghibli it will release in 2026 in the coming months.
In a new Twitter/X post, Katsuhiro Harada announced that he will be leaving Bandai Namco and the Tekken franchise by the end of 2025. The announcement comes as the 30th anniverary of the Tekken series comes to an end.
“My roots lie in the days when I supported small local tournaments in Japanese arcades and in small halls and community centers overseas. I still remember carrying arcade cabinets by myself, encouraging people to ‘Please try TEKKEN,’ and directly facing the players right in front of me. The conversations and atmosphere we shared in those places became the core of who I am as a developer and game creator.
Even as the times changed, those experiences have remained at the center of my identity. And even after the tournament scene grew much larger, many of you continued to treat me like an old friend—challenging me at venues, inviting me out for drinks at bars. Those memories are also deeply precious to me. In recent years, I experienced the loss of several close friends in my personal life, and in my professional life I witnessed the retirement or passing of many senior colleagues whom I deeply respect.
Those accumulated events made me reflect on the “time I have left as a creator.” During that period, I sought advice from Ken Kutaragi—whom I respect as though he were another father—and received invaluable encouragement and guidance. His words quietly supported me in making this decision.
Over the past four to five years, I’ve gradually handed over all of my responsibilities, as well as the stories and worldbuilding I oversaw, to the team, bringing me to the present day. Looking back, I was fortunate to work on an extraordinary variety of projects—VR titles (such as Summer Lesson), Pokkén Tournament, the SoulCalibur series, and many others, both inside and outside the company.
Each project was full of new discoveries and learning, and every one of them became an irreplaceable experience for me. To everyone who has supported me, to communities around the world, and to all the colleagues who have walked alongside me for so many years, I offer my deepest gratitude. I’ll share more about my next steps at a later date. Thank you very much for everything.”
Before he departs, he will attend the TWT Finals in January 2026, and release a DJ mix of the Tekken series. His most recent game, Tekken 8, is available now on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.
It’s hard to deny that Vampire Survivors propelled the bullet-hell genre into the mainstream when it was released back in 2021. Since then, many games have tried to capitalize on its success by adding their own creative spin to the formula, and quite honestly, why not? It’s an addictive gameplay loop, and making a few adjustments can totally elevate the experience into something new and different. You only have to look at titles like BALL x PIT and Megabonk to see this concept in full swing. Reverie in the Moonlight falls in the middle of the pack for this. It’s an interesting idea, and the aesthetics are downright adorable, but the lack of diversity within the gameplay hinders its long-term replay value.
Can’t Get No Sleep
Most bullet-hell games have pretty much non-existent plots, but surprisingly, Reverie in the Moonlight actually has one. You take control of Tete, a young neko-eared boy who struggles to sleep late at night because foul monsters chase him in his dreams. But this all changes one fatal evening, when a girl called Luna appears and tells him that he can fight back against these cruel monsters by using the plushies in his dreams. Lucid dreaming, at its finest, eh? But it soon becomes clear that the reason these monstrosities are appearing in the first place may not be all that it seems.
The entire story is told through visual novel cutscenes, with each segment probably taking a minute or so to read. The overall plot is very predictable, and I guessed around the halfway mark where the story was going. But it’s still a nice touch that there is even a story here, especially as this aspect is often overlooked in these types of games.
Right Now, It’s Plushie Time!
If you’ve played other survivors-like games, you’ll be fairly familiar with the setup. Your task is to avoid incoming attacks, collect experience, and try to build the best toy army to beat the relentless hordes of enemies. In your first run, there will be twenty waves, with each one requiring you to survive within the time limit, which can last anything between thirty and ninety seconds.
When you first start your midnight crusade, you will begin with one fluffy companion that will automatically attack every few seconds. There are six to pick from, and all of them are delightfully cute and play quite differently from one another. My favourites from the pack were the sleeping cat, which reduces the attack power of the monsters after successfully hitting an opponent, and an upbeat dog, which uses the soundwaves from its trumpet to attack from afar. Super cute, right?
The initial waves are downright easy, as they only have a few basic enemies scattered throughout the area. The pace at which they charge towards you is also pretty simple to handle. However, the last few waves can be rather challenging if you don’t build up your team in a smart way.
Late Night Shopping
There are two ways to increase your power. The first method involves collecting experience in the form of candy, which is dropped on the floor after defeating enemies. If you obtain enough wrapped goodies, you will have the opportunity to improve the stats of Tete or the overall plushies’ army. The other option is to buy new items or plushies at the store. You see, every time a critter defeats a monster, you will earn money, which can then be spent at the store at the end of each wave. The majority of the items you can buy are inspired by things you will most likely associate with early years, like music boxes, toy cars, and even paper planes.
But the main hook of the experience is buying new plushies to join your mini legion. This is where the strategicness really kicks in, as you’re going to want to purchase plushies that complement and fight in synergy with one another. You have ten slots in total, which might sound like a lot, but you can quickly fill up the team within a handful of waves. You can, fortunately, sell your stuffed animals, so whoever you initially buy isn’t who you’re stuck with for the rest of the run, which gives you a bit of freedom in how you decide to play. It’s really fun to experiment with different combinations to see what works and doesn’t. In my experience, I found it was better to commit to one fighting style, like an offensive team, rather than build a balanced one.
However, the tacticalness does not stop there, as you can also level up a plush by combining two of them. This is an absolute game-changer, as it will dramatically improve the fluffy stats. The thing is, depending on where you are in the run, it could actually be better to have two of the same plush attacking multiple foes, rather than one ultra-powerful stuffed animal. So, it’s all about picking the best time to start upgrading your team, and there is a delicate balance to this. It is very much like Super Auto Pets in that regard. Even though the games are very different, it’s about picking the right members for your team who complement one another and choosing the best time to upgrade. If you make the wrong call, it can quite literally make or break runs.
A criticism I would like to bring up is that the game doesn’t tell you anything about levelling up plushies, so I only discovered you could do so about halfway through my first run. I legit had an “oooh” moment and decided to restart from the beginning again with my newfound knowledge. It might have been nice if there had been a prompt somewhere indicating you could do that. It’s undoubtedly one of the best aspects of Reverie in the Moonlight, and it should be telling players they can do this right away.
Burning the Midnight Oil
Once you have successfully completed all twenty waves and seen the ending of the story, you will gain access to endless mode, where you can continue going on waves indefinitely, with each wave increasing in difficulty. When I reached wave thirty, that’s when I felt the difficulty spike really shoot up, so you can definitely test out your skills here. I quite liked making teams based around the algaiters and purple cats, as they can unleash powerful attacks from a distance. These two plushies will also follow you as you move across the stage, so they will give you plenty of flexibility to avoid incoming aggression from enemies. But there are so many teams you could hypothetically assemble, like close combat ones or teams where your stats increase depending on whether other similar plushies are nearby.
You can also unlock new outfits for Tete, which harbour different abilities, so that you can impose challenges and different playstyle conditions on yourself. However, I did find the appeal of the gameplay loop dwindle after a while. When I found the plushies I enjoyed using, I didn’t have much of a desire to discover better combos. This probably stems from the fact that there are no real boss battles in the game, so I couldn’t test whether this combo would defeat such-and-such boss quicker. The only goal is to survive, so if I can do that, there’s no real reason to go above and beyond.
Considering the plot is based on night terrors, you may expect your environment to be a nightmare-filled world. But actually, all the waves besides one are set in Tete’s bedroom. The room itself is cutely designed and, strangely, has a cosy vibe, thanks to a dreamy blue hue that fills the room through the moon’s reflection. There are also small details that really bring the room together, like blankets and pillows on the floor, and the small desk to the side. But it’s hard for just one level design to carry the entire game. It would have been nice to see different variations of the bedroom, or maybe have the room get darker at specific points, as this would have made some of the waves look a bit different. If you were also wondering about the one wave I alluded to earlier that has a different design, it’s just a grey room. Very anticlimactic, I know.
If you are looking for your next survivors-like addiction that will eat up all your free time, it will unlikely be Reverie in the Moonlight, because there is not enough variety in the gameplay or level designs to draw you in the long term. It’s really fun to play in short sessions, and I could imagine booting this up occasionally for a 30-minute or so run, but that would be it. Because of this, I would only recommend this one to hardcore fans of the genre who like its distinctively cute aesthetics.
Disclaimer: room6 provided a PC copy ofReverie in the Moonlight for review purposes.
The Fable is a manga series that has made quite a name for itself in just over a decade. In 2014, The Fable manga launched a franchise that has become one of the best-selling manga today, with over 25 million copies in circulation. Today, the manga is already on its third series, has received two live-action films, and enjoyed further success with an anime adaptation. The franchise continues to grow in the newest adaptation, a video game called The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike, which is one of the more unique adaptations I’ve seen.
The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike is, as the title implies, a roguelike with some interesting additions. The game lets you play as three different characters from the manga, each with a different playstyle. Combining puzzle game, strategy, deckbuilding, and roguelike elements, this is one of the more memorable video game adaptations I’ve played. This is a work that can mimic the feeling of reading a manga you enjoy, in a way only a video game can. While it has some limitations, the core gameplay loop is one I like, even if it ends a bit too quickly.
What is a Manga Build Roguelike?
The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike is a roguelike about placing manga panels. Everything you do in a fight is determined by what panels you have put on a 3×4 grid that resembles a page. Attacks, moving, buffs, and shooting are all determined by a panel. The order goes right to left down each row, much like actually reading a manga. You have eight panels to use on your turn, and they are randomly decided based on how many you already own. If you don’t like your hand, you can redraw, but be careful because you only have one each fight. The result is a game that combines turn-based strategy, roguelike elements, and puzzles with deckbuilding.
The core game mode is battle mode. It has you pick one of three characters to complete runs with. Runs consist of three chapters filled with battles, minigames, and spots to adjust your move deck. Battles are no joke and will make you think. Your deckbuilding skills will be put to the test as you have to make whatever is in front of you work. Any attacks you take will also reduce the number of usable spots on the page, making placement harder. Finishing a fight gives you a tool to repair a broken panel, but you can only have five at a time. Failing to finish a battle in the set amount of turns will end your run and all progress.
While this can be very difficult and stressful at times, it makes finishing any fight that much more satisfying. Feeling out a page entirely is not only satisfying, but can be rewarding. After you finish the first chapter of a run, you will get to pick a bonus. That bonus will go into effect whenever you fill out a page in a fight, and it can really turn a battle in your favour. When it all comes together, it really feels like reading a battle in a manga you like. It makes winning fights more satisfying, and it even lets you see the fight uninterrupted at the end.
While fights are satisfying, they lose their luster over time. Fights are at most five turns and start to feel too short after a few runs. Runs also don’t feel as satisfying to complete, because after you unlock the third character, you pretty much have everything. After that, you only get art from the manga, and it’s not a lot either. Each run also has minigames, and none of them are fun, unfortunately. They feel like a way to pad out runs, but I didn’t like any of them. These issues hurt the game’s replayability for me, and I stopped playing battle mode after a couple of runs.
Panels and Puzzles
While I lost interest in battle mode, there was one that I kept coming back to. Puzzle mode is what it sounds like. In it, you are given a specific set of panels, and you must finish a fight in one move. This tests your puzzle-solving abilities the most and feels more satisfying than the base game. It also teaches you the different panels better than the base game, and gives me ideas for other builds to try. Whenever I lost interest in battle mode, the puzzle mode kept me playing. It even got me to do a couple of runs again, before eventually coming back to puzzle mode.
I can’t be as positive about the last game mode—a minigame called Bar Buffalo. The setup is fun, two characters are in a bar and decide to have some tequila. You start taking shots, and that’s when the minigame begins. After each shot, you must time a button press to chase it with either water, pistachio, or lemon. That’s it, and you will never play it again after the first time. It also goes on too long, and after 20 shots, I became concerned with the alcohol consumption of these fictional characters. The only positives I have are that it looks great and is the only part of the game that shows the characters’ personalities.
To Adapt or Not
The most interesting thing about this game is how it adapts the manga. Most of the time, when I review a game, I like to spend the beginning talking about the setting, story, and characters. But I couldn’t really do that here, because the game doesn’t really say anything about what it’s adapting. While fans will recognize names and different panels, I got nothing from it. The only information I got about the characters came from the two-sentence descriptions each received. They do have some personality in their playstyles and animations, but that’s about it.
I wouldn’t have known anything about the source material if I hadn’t looked into it while writing this review. While I am now interested in The Fable and will probably start reading it, I don’t see this game being a good gateway into it for most. This feels like it will mainly appeal to current fans, while being a fun short time for others. Earlier, I said it mimics the feeling of reading a manga you enjoy, and I really like that. It’s one of the most unique ways I’ve seen a property adapted, and I have a feeling it hits harder if you are already a fan. While I wish it did more as an adaptation, it never hurt the game for me. But I did think it could’ve done more.
In terms of aesthetic, the game uses manga-style panels for moves and collectables, and they all look great and fit in well. They pair nicely with the pixel art, which is well animated. It all comes together nicely, and I appreciated the look of it the more I played, especially when you play a fight back and see everything play out smoothly. I may wish it did more, but the parts that work are still a delight.
End of Chapter
The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike is an interesting game. Its core gameplay is a fun mix of strategy, deckbuilding, puzzle, and roguelike game elements. Battle mode could be fleshed out more, but it’s still a good time even if it is short. The core fights are fun, but they get paired with uninteresting minigames and subpar rewards. As an adaptation, established fans will probably be happy, but I don’t see it making new ones. While I have some problems after all that, this is still a fun time that feels very satisfying at times. I would recommend giving The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike a shot, just for how it nails the feeling of reading a manga you like. You might not play it much longer after that, however.
Disclaimer: Kodansha and MONO ENTERTAINMENT provided a Nintendo Switch copy of The Fable: Manga Build Roguelike for review purposes.
Square Enix has released a new trailer for Dragon Quest VII Reimagined introducing the game’s protagonist. The new trailer describes the Dragon Quest VII Reimagined protagonist as a boy from Pilchard Bay, which is a fishing village on Estard Island. The boy often wonders what lies beyond the sea and his home, despite the peaceful life he lives.
Dragon Quest VII Reimagined launches on February 5, 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. A physical Collector’s Edition will be sold featuring a Ship in a Bottle figure, Slime Plush, Steelbook, and more. Moreover, a Digital Deluxe Edition will be available with 48 hours of early access, a unique costume for playable character Ruff and three paid DLC packs. Purchase any edition of the game early to receive the Early Bird Bonus, which will give players a Dragon Quest VIII costume for the Hero and three Seeds of Proficiency. Digital purchases include a Slime Shield specific to each platform.
There is nothing like One Piece. I finally set sail in 2021 on Luffy’s journey (and completed it!), and I’ve been hooked on reading each chapter weekly ever since. Whether it’s the manga, anime, films, or merchandise, there is no shortage of One Piece content to discover. After catching up in 2021, I quickly became interested in the game catalog that existed at the time for the series.
Upon checking things out, I settled on trying One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, and as a fan of the Warriors games, I had a blast punching away at thousands of enemies as the Straw Hat pirates. It’s been a few years since I last spent some time with Pirate Warriors 4, but the recent enhanced release felt like a great time to do so. After checking out the Legendary Edition of the game, it’s safe to say that Pirate Warriors 4 is still such a blast for fans of One Piece.
The Grand Line Awaits
As the fourth game in the series, Pirate Warriors 4 brings plenty to the table. The main mode is Dramatic Log, which takes you through the events of the main story of One Piece. Since this game was released prior to Wano ending, there is a game-original ending for that arc, but otherwise, things follow canon. This story mode for returning players is a fun blast through memory lane, with Omega Force recreating some of the series’ most iconic moments.
If you’re a newcomer to One Piece, I have a harder time recommending Pirate Warriors 4 as a way to experience the story. It does not do an adequate job of recreating each of the arcs. There’s some acknowledgement here and there for earlier ones, and key focuses on things Arabasta through Wano, but it’s not enough to act as a true standalone replacement of the anime or manga. I don’t expect an in-depth recreation out of a game like this, but it’s worth pointing out for those who may be interested from the outside. Many important moments and characters are flat-out cut. If you wish to solely immerse yourself in the world of One Piece, great. Otherwise, come back once you’re caught up.
Outside of Dramatic Log, Free Log lets you check out any episode you’d like. There are a few fantastic episodes that pop up throughout the story, and this is a quick and easy way to hop back in and experience it again with new characters. Additionally, Treasure Log opens up randomized maps for you to complete with whatever character you’d like. If you’re aiming to grind coins, this is the best place to do so. You will encounter some very entertaining scenarios that have never happened in the main story, too, so there’s an incentive here for longtime fans to check it out.
It’s worth noting that you can play through Dramatic Log and other modes online, so you can join up with players around the world. I especially appreciate the local co-op support for Dramatic Log, allowing you to tackle the story together with a friend.
This entire roster feels like a huge fan service initiative for hardcore fans. Characters like Shanks, Rayleigh, Gol D. Roger, and Boa Hancock are all playable, alongside numerous others. There are over 60 different playable characters, which feels almost absurd at a certain point. I only have a few more characters I wish were playable, mainly the Gorosei, but this roster is more than enough to keep any fan happy.
There’s one more main mode at your disposal, and that’s Special Log. Here, Omega Force has added three DLC modes that were released for Pirate Warriors 4 over the last few years. These focus on Yamato, Koby, and the legendary Gol D. Roger. Each offers a different experience. For example, while Koby’s Combat Chronicle is basically a roguelike, Path to the King of the Pirates has a ton of wild stuff thrown in, where you can even test your One Piece knowledge.
Overall, there is no shortage of content here, even beyond the main story. You can grind for hundreds of hours to level up and max each character, and considering how different many of them play, you’re not likely to get bored. Newcomers can quickly become lost without knowledge of the series, but there’s enough here to at least wrap your head around most things.
Slash Away
As a Musou game, Pirate Warriors 4 is exactly what you’d expect: it’s up to you to clear wave upon wave of enemies. I’m a big fan of the Warriors games, but there’s just something special about what Omega Force was able to do with this game. Seeing each beloved character from the show translate seamlessly to the game with unique abilities and Devil Fruit powers is a true treat. You really can get lost in trying out different characters and finding one that meshes.
After choosing your character, you have a variety of attacks to use and beat down the thousands of enemies around you. Some might be mere grunts, but you’ll slowly begin to encounter harder and harder foes, up to fighting even the Emperors themselves! The true beauty of Pirate Warriors 4 shines with gameplay, as each character is satisfying to play and has unique attacks to test out. When I first played this game on PS4, I spent at least 30 hours just testing each character’s movesets and abilities. The joy of discovery is real when using abilities like Kaido’s dragon form transformation.
While the gameplay is a lot of fun, there can be occasional roadblocks with the camera system. Occasionally, you may encounter scenarios where it’s hard to see what exactly is going on, which is mostly a fault of the environment. Parts of the map and certain larger enemies can make things a little wonky and out of your control. This is not something that happens too frequently, but it does pop up and can be frustrating if it gets in the way of you fighting an enemy.
I’ve seen some confusion as to why Bandai Namco opted to release new versions and more DLC for Pirate Warriors 4 rather than develop a new entry. Considering this entry depicted the (albeit game original) ending of Wano, Omega Force would only have Egghead and the bit of Elbaph to adapt. We’re better off waiting for the series to conclude before a new entry arrives to give the development teams time to make content out of multiple arcs.
While the PS5 version does not boast any new content, it does offer some nice performance boosts over the PS4. For one, many more enemies now spawn on screen, which can really dial up that classic Warriors action. This is largely noticeable even on the first stage, and especially so when compared to the previous generation version. Given that the goal of Pirate Warriors 4 is to wipe out thousands of enemies across each stage, I was happy to see even more thrown into the mix on screen for as much chaos as possible.
Additionally, the resolution has increased to support 4K. Character models look sharp, and the effects also look better. For those simply comparing the two versions, the differences between the PS4 and PS5 editions might not be too noticeable, but these slight tweaks are nice additions to the experience. Still, I would have appreciated an update to add support for haptic feedback or adaptive triggers on the DualSense. This is still clearly a game from 2020, but it has never looked better.
Going for Gold
As a fan of One Piece, you’re guaranteed to get lost for dozens of hours inside Pirate Warriors 4. This is a gold mine for fans of the series, with so much to offer for fans of any kind. Dramatic Log is a fun trip through memory lane, Treasure Log feels like a fun batch of what-if scenarios, and Special Log adds a few fun, bite-sized modes to check out. The attention to detail for each character is astounding, and with over 60 to test out, Pirate Warriors 4 will keep you busy for a long while.
Newcomers may find themselves somewhat overwhelmed if not at least familiar with One Piece and its story. Dramatic Log, while substantial, does not offer a perfect retelling, as it omits multiple arcs and provides a game-original ending for Wano. Additionally, I have some issues with the camera here and there, but they’re nothing that can significantly impact the experience.
At the end of the day, Pirate Warriors 4 is a great One Piece game and an excellent Musou game. The PS5 version, albeit lacking new content, introduces new visual enhancements that make for the best way to play this adventure. Returning players may find less incentive to set sail on this journey again, but new One Piece fans beginning the voyage should be delighted with the extensive content available in the Legendary Edition.
Disclaimer: Bandai Namco provided a PlayStation 5 copy of One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 for review purposes.
The Code Geass franchise is celebrating its 20th anniversary with multiple new anime and manga projects, including the all-new Code Geass Hoshi Oi no Aspar (Code Geass: Aspar the Star Chaser) anime, a manga collaboration with Mobile Suit Gundam Wing, and the TV broadcast of Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture in July 2026.
Kazuya Nomura is directing the new Code Geass Hoshi Oi no Aspar anime. Mado Nozaki is in charge of series scripts, Rolua is the character designer, and Yoshi. is the Agarmatha designer. Junbun Lin handles background and special effects, and Ichinogi designed the title logo.
These announcements were made at the “Code Geass Project ‘To 20th'” memorial event on December 7 at the Belle Salle Shinjuku Grand in Tokyo. Jun Fukuyama (Lelouch Lamperouge), Kohei Amasaki (Rozé) and Makoto Furukawa (Ash) appeared at a special talk session to make these announcements.
A revival screening event for a 13 films in the Code Geass series, titled “CODE GEASS 20th Anniversary Retrospective: Road to CODE GEASS 20th Year,” will begin on January 6, 2026. The three Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion films, the five Code Geass: Akito the Exiled films, Code Geass Lelouch of the Re;surrection, and the Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture films will be screened in order every on Tuesdays and Thursdays through June 25 in Japan.
What’s more, the Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion – Seido ni Junzuru Kishi 2 musical will run from January 23 to 25 in Osaka and January 29 to February 1 in Tokyo. Ryotaro Akazawa and Koji Kominami will reprise their respective roles as Suzaku Kururugi and Lelouch Lamperouge.
