FRESH GAMING NEWS FOR SEPTEMBER! (and a review I guess..)
Ep. 07
Tokyo Game Show 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most significant gaming events of the year, and Square Enix is positioned to steal the spotlight with an impressive lineup of both highly anticipated sequels and intriguing new properties. Running from September 25th to 28th at the Makuhari Messe Convention Center in Chiba, Japan, this year’s show is already being called the largest in TGS history, with over 770 exhibitors and more than 4,000 booths.
The publisher’s booth promises to be one of the event’s main attractions, featuring playable demos for four major upcoming titles. Octopath Traveler 0, the highly anticipated prequel set for December 4th release, represents the latest evolution of Team Asano’s acclaimed HD-2D visual style that has become synonymous with modern JRPGs. This standalone adventure takes players back to the continent of Orsterra, promising a story of revenge and restoration with enhanced town-building mechanics and character customization features that weren’t present in previous entries.
Perhaps even more intriguing is The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, marking Team Asano’s bold departure from turn-based combat into real-time action territory. This represents a significant strategic shift for the studio behind beloved tactical RPGs, as they attempt to capture a broader audience while maintaining their signature HD-2D aesthetic. Early hands-on reports suggest the game successfully channels classic Zelda-style exploration and combat, potentially opening up an entirely new market for Square Enix’s distinctive visual style.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles stands as one of the show’s most emotionally resonant offerings. This isn’t just another remaster – it’s a complete rebuild of the 1997 PlayStation classic, developed with involvement from original team members including director Kazutoyo Maehiro and scenario writer Yasumi Matsuno. The remake offers both Enhanced and Classic versions, with the Enhanced edition featuring full voice acting, refined gameplay mechanics, and a more accessible “Squire” difficulty setting for newcomers. With a September 30th release date, fans attending TGS will get their final chance to experience the game before its worldwide launch.
The fourth playable title, Killer Inn, represents Square Enix’s most experimental project on display. This asymmetrical multiplayer game blends murder mystery elements with third-person shooter mechanics, supporting up to 24 players in matches where “Wolves” must hunt “Lambs” while the hunted players attempt to deduce the killers’ identities through detective work. It’s a fascinating departure from Square Enix’s traditional offerings and demonstrates the company’s willingness to explore new genres and gameplay concepts.
This year’s Tokyo Game Show is positioned to potentially break attendance records, following 2024’s impressive showing of 274,739 visitors – the second-highest in the event’s history. With over 200,000 attendees expected from across Asia, Europe, and North America, the event has truly become a global showcase rather than just a Japanese trade show. The scale is unprecedented, with nearly 300 overseas exhibitors participating alongside Japanese industry giants.
For Square Enix specifically, TGS represents a crucial opportunity to demonstrate their evolving strategy. The company has been working to make their games available across all major platforms, a shift exemplified by Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade coming to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series X/S this winter. Digital Foundry’s early impressions of the Switch 2 version have been overwhelmingly positive, noting it runs at a stable 30-40 FPS and potentially looks better than the original PS4 version.
Square Enix’s TGS 2025 presence also includes several live broadcasts scheduled for September 27th and 28th, featuring behind-the-scenes content for Octopath Traveler 0, Dragon Quest remakes, and Final Fantasy XIV. These streams will ensure that even fans unable to attend in person can participate in the excitement surrounding these major releases.
As Tokyo Game Show 2025 approaches, Square Enix appears perfectly positioned to capture both nostalgic veterans and newcomers with their diverse lineup spanning classic remakes, innovative sequels, and entirely new gaming experiences. With the event set to be the largest in TGS history and Square Enix bringing some of their most ambitious projects in years, this September promises to be a defining moment for both the publisher and the broader gaming industry.
After more than a decade-long drought, James Bond is finally returning to video games, and the studio behind this ambitious revival couldn’t be more perfect for the job. IO Interactive, the Danish developer that revolutionized stealth gaming with their acclaimed Hitman series, is bringing us 007 First Light – a game that promises to blend the methodical, sandbox-style gameplay that made Agent 47 legendary with the high-octane cinematic spectacle that defines the world’s most famous spy.
What makes this project particularly intriguing is IO Interactive’s decision to tell an origin story. We’re not getting the seasoned, battle-hardened Bond we know from the films, but rather a 26-year-old rookie fresh out of the Royal Navy, played by Irish actor Patrick Gibson. Gibson brings an energy and impatience that perfectly captures this version of Bond – someone who’s “a bullet without a target,” as his superiors describe him. At 30 years old, Gibson becomes one of the youngest official Bonds, bringing a modern relatability to the character while maintaining that essential Bond charm.
This isn’t just about age, though – it’s about approach. Unlike Daniel Craig’s more experienced and cynical Bond, Gibson’s interpretation is described as more impulsive and expressive, someone who might grab whatever’s nearby for a distraction rather than planning methodically. He’s charming and witty, but in a more natural way – not yet the fully weaponized charisma of the iconic 007.
007 First Light balances IO Interactive’s signature gameplay DNA with Bond’s cinematic legacy. The game features classic Hitman-style open areas where you can approach objectives through stealth, gadgets, or social manipulation – but also delivers explosive set pieces reminiscent of Uncharted. Players can expect car chases in vintage Aston Martins, airplane sequences where you can bank the aircraft to turn cargo into weapons, and combat showing Bond’s nimbleness and stylish action.
Bond’s natural charisma means disguises are less essential here than in Hitman; he can often talk his way past guards using a resource called “Focus,” which depletes with use but refills when managing tense situations successfully. His Q-watch serves as both a practical tool and gameplay mechanic, allowing players to scan environments for opportunities, hack electronics, and eavesdrop on conversations to unlock new mission paths.
This title follows a dark period for Bond games, with the last major official effort being the 2012 007 Legends, which was poorly received for bland gameplay and disconnected mission structure. That game was pulled from digital stores, clearing the way for a fresh start. IO Interactive’s approach is a philosophical shift: instead of forcing Bond into an existing gameplay mold, they’ve created an authentically Bond experience rooted in systemic, player-driven gameplay. Hitman: World of Assassination has sold over 25 million units and boasts 75 million players, showing IOI’s expertise appeals to a broad audience.
007 First Light arrives at a compelling moment for the Bond franchise and action-adventure gaming. The acclaimed director Denis Villeneuve, known for Dune, is directing the next Bond film, providing a parallel fresh take on the character with a distinctive visual style and complex storytelling. The game’s March 27, 2026 release across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC positions it as a cultural bridge to the upcoming film.
What excites fans most is how 007 First Light represents IO Interactive at the peak of their creative powers, tackling one of entertainment’s most iconic characters. Their modern Hitman trilogy revived the stealth genre and set new standards with ambitious, critically acclaimed titles. This game promises to end the 14-year hiatus of quality Bond gaming and establish a new template for interactive espionage experiences. From what has been revealed, Agent 007’s license to kill has never looked more thrilling.
Microsoft and ASUS are making a bold bet on the future of handheld gaming with the ROG Xbox Ally series, but their ambitious vision is colliding head-first with some harsh economic realities. Set to launch on October 16th, 2025, these devices represent Microsoft’s most aggressive push into portable gaming – and they’re arriving at one of the most challenging moments possible for gaming hardware.
Perhaps the most telling aspect of the Xbox Ally story isn’t what Microsoft has announced, but what they haven’t. Despite confirming the October release date at Gamescom 2025, the company still can’t – or won’t – reveal official pricing more than six weeks from launch. Microsoft executives cite “macro-economic conditions” and the need for “more time to figure out the macro-economic impact to pricing,” which is corporate speak for “tariffs are wreaking havoc on their business model.”
Leaked pricing suggests the standard ROG Xbox Ally will cost $549, while the more powerful Xbox Ally X could hit $899. To put that in perspective, that’s nearly double the price of a Nintendo Switch 2, which launches at $449 and has already seen its U.S. pre-orders delayed due to similar tariff concerns. These aren’t just premium prices – they’re entering luxury territory for what is essentially a Windows PC in handheld form.
The timing couldn’t be more challenging. The entire PC gaming handheld market has moved roughly 6 million units since 2022, with projections of just under 2 million for 2025. That’s a microscopic market compared to Nintendo’s 150 million Switch sales over seven years. Even more concerning, the handheld PC market actually contracted by 50% in 2024 compared to 2023, suggesting consumer appetite may be cooling.
Valve’s Steam Deck dominates this space with an estimated 4 million units sold, commanding nearly 50% market share while all Windows-based competitors combined struggle for the remainder. The appeal is obvious – Steam Deck’s SteamOS provides a console-like experience without Windows complexity, and at $399-$649, it significantly undercuts these premium Windows handhelds.
What makes the Xbox Ally particularly interesting is Microsoft’s attempt to solve Windows gaming’s biggest problem: the operating system itself. The device boots directly into a custom Xbox layer running over Windows 11, theoretically hiding the desktop complexity that makes PC handhelds intimidating for mainstream users. When it works, the promise is compelling – seamless access to your Steam library, Game Pass, and other PC storefronts from a unified interface.
Microsoft has even introduced Steam integration directly into their Xbox PC app, allowing users to launch Steam games without ever seeing the Steam interface. This represents a strategic shift – rather than fighting Valve’s ecosystem, Microsoft is embracing it while trying to layer their own services on top.
The Xbox Ally also introduces innovative features like holding the Xbox button to quick-switch between apps, similar to smartphone multitasking. Microsoft’s new “Handheld Compatibility Program” will rate games for portable play, helping users understand what will run well before they buy.
Technically, the Xbox Ally series should be impressive. The AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip promises strong performance, while the lighter weight and comfortable grips address practical concerns about extended gaming sessions. The hardware feels premium, even if the software experience remains inconsistent – demo units frequently crashed to Windows error dialogs, exposing the underlying PC nature that Microsoft desperately wants to hide.
This instability highlights a fundamental challenge: Windows 11 wasn’t designed for handheld gaming. While SteamOS provides a purpose-built console experience, Microsoft is essentially asking consumers to pay premium prices for a compromised PC experience dressed up with Xbox branding.
The most revealing aspect of the Xbox Ally project may be what it says about Microsoft’s broader gaming strategy. This isn’t just about competing with Steam Deck – it’s about testing concepts that could reshape Xbox consoles entirely. The seamless integration of multiple game stores, improved Windows gaming experience, and handheld-optimized interface all feel like prototypes for future Xbox hardware.
But that future vision requires market validation at prices that may be too high for mainstream adoption. At $549-$899, the Xbox Ally series is asking consumers to pay smartphone prices for a gaming device with significant software compromises. Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch 2 offers a proven gaming experience at $449, and Steam Deck delivers superior PC gaming at lower prices.
When the Xbox Ally launches in October, it won’t just be competing against other handhelds – it’ll be fighting fundamental market dynamics. Tariffs are pushing hardware prices higher just as economic uncertainty makes consumers more price-sensitive. The PC handheld market remains tiny and may be shrinking. Microsoft’s Windows-based approach introduces complexity that most handheld gamers simply don’t want to deal with.
The irony is that Microsoft may have built genuinely innovative hardware and software, but they’re launching it into a market that increasingly values simplicity and affordability over raw capability. Whether Xbox Ally succeeds may ultimately depend less on what it can do and more on whether enough consumers are willing to pay premium prices for Microsoft’s vision of handheld gaming’s future.
Fresh off the acclaimed Silent Hill 2 remake, Bloober Team’s latest effort, Cronos: The New Dawn, tries to chart its own path as a spiritual successor to survival horror titans like Dead Space and Resident Evil. Set in a plague-ridden, post-apocalyptic Polish city, the game blends time-traveling mystery with a grimy, mutant-infested world—but according to most critics, it just misses the spark to set a new benchmark in the genre.
Cronos thrives on ambiance. Players step into the boots of the Traveler, a stoic investigator whose journey through the city of New Dawn is steeped in environmental storytelling—decaying architecture, eerie lighting, and encounters with horrific mutants (“orphans”) and unsettling hallucinations as her sanity dwindles. The narrative’s time-travel twist allows interrogation of essences from before the plague, echoing Dark and classic survival horror.
The world-building and lore, enhanced by notes and audio logs, paint a haunting, evocative picture. However, some reviewers find the plot’s pandemic parallels and cryptic organizations muddled and overly long, with emotional resonance sometimes lost behind the Traveller’s impassive helmet and slow pacing.
Cronos wears its inspirations on its sleeve. The combat loop features standard pistols, shotguns, and limited ammo crafting, with mutants delivering more predictable telegraphed attacks than scares. The time-manipulation mechanic mostly applies to environmental puzzles, rarely shaking up combat.
The most unique combat feature is that enemies can merge with corpses to become deadlier if not burned—a mechanic reminiscent of Dead Space’s Infector enemies. While adding tension, it doesn’t vastly alter conventional fight strategies.
Boss battles often take place in tight, intense arenas, delivering genuine thrills and showcasing Bloober Team’s flair for spectacle, even if overall enemy design rarely astounds. However, occasional clunky item interactions and pathfinding glitches can break immersion.
Cronos shines in art and sound design. Its brutalist architecture and oppressive fog create a distinct, haunting sense of place. The synth-heavy, pulse-pounding soundtrack and high-quality lighting heighten tension throughout the roughly 14–16 hour campaign, which also offers New Game+ for replayability.
Ultimately, Cronos: The New Dawn is praised as a worthwhile entry for survival horror fans craving more Dead Space-style action in a fresh setting. Though it lacks the originality and chills of its inspirations and doesn’t fully match the emotional or mechanical depth of 2023-2024’s top horror titles, it delivers a consistently tense, atmospheric experience rewarding exploration and tactical play.
For players able to overlook its derivative elements and rough edges, Cronos offers a creepy, inventive ride through a broken world and solidifies Bloober Team as a compelling force in modern horror gaming.
