<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/circle-empires-2/">Circle Empires 2</a> now features 24 playable leaders, twice the 12 available at launch, following a series of free updates over the past several weeks from developer Runwolf Games (Haarlem, Netherlands).Each leader in the bite-sized <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/best/real-time-strategy/">RTS</a> commands a distinct army with unique units, buildings, and technologies, and the eight newcomers push that variety further. Electra Eelshock fields an army built around eels and lightning-based attacks, while Zaroth the Zealous leads demonic forces whose units regenerate health during combat, making them suited to prolonged frontline fighting. Hammerfist takes the opposite approach, relying on large numbers of goblins that scavenge the battlefield rather than raw individual strength.The rest of the new lineup covers a wide range of playstyles: Celestria the Crowned's celestial forces emphasize durability, Sunstone Sniper commands golem units, and Magnar the Mammoth and Woody both add new logistics options, one through mounted units, the other through stationary support structures. Icarus the Infiltrator leans into a stealth-and-swarm approach with rat units backed by a heavy-hitting mechanical cat, and Harry the Harvester builds toward a late-game payoff by growing a powerful pumpkin-based unit over time.Beyond the roster expansion, the recent updates added several systems to enhance replayability. Leader-specific win streak leaderboards let players track and compete on the longest streaks per leader, a feature that matters more now that there are 24 distinct playstyles to master. Multiplayer also gained resource sharing between allies, opening up cooperative strategies that weren't previously possible. Two new modes, Imperial Conflict and Pick From Three, offer alternate ways to play beyond the core loop, and difficulty settings were expanded to smooth the early game while adding tougher options for experienced players.The developer also shipped a broader set of balance changes, new biomes, UI updates, and bug fixes alongside the leader additions, though specifics on individual balance changes weren't detailed in the announcement.With the roster now at 24 leaders, Circle Empires 2 offers considerably more strategic variety than at launch, though the announcement doesn't specify whether further leaders are planned or if this marks a pause in new-character content.

Circle Empires 2 has added eight new leaders, bringing its roster to 24, alongside new game modes and leaderboards.

Circle Empires 2's Playable Roster Doubles to 24 Leaders With Eight Free Additions

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/northgard-battlegrounds/">Northgard Battlegrounds</a> will hold an open beta on Steam from July 9 to July 15, developer Funday Games and publisher Shiro Unlimited announced. The test coincides with Steam Tacticon, the platform's tactics-focused game showcase.The game reworks Shiro's Northgard, the Viking city-builder that has sold more than 5 million units, into an auto-battler. Funday Games, known for the roguelike shooter Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, is handling development, while Shiro Unlimited, the studio behind the original Northgard, publishes.You choose your Viking clan, not for flavor but for leverage. Every trait, every ability is a lever you can pull. Settlement building is not about pretty layouts; it’s about unlocking synergies that decide whether your warband dominates or disappears in battles you never directly touch. Progression is a two-currency game: Krowns, earned by winning, buy you expansion and new villagers. Lore, spent wisely, unlocks Norse blessings that can flip a losing run into a legend.PvP here is asynchronous. You’re not waiting for a live rival; you’re outsmarting recorded strategies, which means you play on your terms, not someone else’s schedule. This is not a grind. Every run is a new equation: your clan, your build, your blessings. No two outcomes are the same, and no one gets to coast."Exploring the auto-battler genre has allowed us and Funday Games to create an experience that both preserves and expands upon Northgard's strategic depth and core gameplay," said Nicolas Cannasse, co-founder of Shiro Games.After the beta, Northgard Battlegrounds heads for Steam Early Access in 2026. No date, no price yet. If you want to see what you’re missing before the gates open, the gameplay preview is already live.

Northgard Battlegrounds' open beta runs July 9-15 on Steam during Tacticon, blending city-building with auto-battler combat.

Northgard Battlegrounds Open Beta Arrives July 9 on Steam

Polyarc announced at IGN Live on June 6 that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/moss-the-forgotten-relic/">Moss: The Forgotten Relic</a>, a non-VR adaptation of its acclaimed VR adventure series, launches July 16, 2026. The game arrives on Steam (with verified Steam Deck support), PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 1 and 2.A Steam demo goes live June 8, ahead of the game’s participation in Steam Next Fest.What The Forgotten Relic IsFor players unfamiliar with the franchise, the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/moss/">original Moss</a> and its sequel Moss: Book II were VR games built around a dual-perspective mechanic: players controlled Quill, a small mouse navigating a storybook fantasy world, while also embodying an unseen “Reader” character who exists alongside her in the environment. It’s a setup that earned the series over 160 awards and nominations, including recognition from The Game Awards, DICE, and BAFTA.The Forgotten Relic isn’t just a port; Polyarc has rebuilt the experience for flat-screen play, with new cutscenes, reworked camera systems, and updated visuals designed for PC and consoles. It packages both games along with the Twilight Garden DLC into a single complete release, marking the first time the full saga has been available outside of VR.What Players Can ExpectThe core gameplay loop of puzzle-platforming and environmental exploration carries over, as does the signature bond between Quill and the player. Quill reacts to the player’s presence throughout the game, which drives much of the emotional resonance for which the VR versions were praised. How well that connection translates to a traditional screen remains to be seen; the June 8 demo will be the first real test.The game includes a “skip combat” accessibility option for players who want to experience the story without the combat sequences, a welcome addition for a narrative-focused title.The orchestral soundtrack is handled by Jason Graves, whose credits include Dead Space and The Dark Pictures Anthology.Pricing and EditionsPolyarc has not announced pricing for Moss: The Forgotten Relic at this time.Why It MattersThe Moss franchise has a devoted following, but its VR exclusivity kept it out of reach for most players. This release is effectively the series’s mainstream debut, and a significant bet by Polyarc that what made Moss special in VR can carry over to a controller and a TV screen. The Steam demo arriving ahead of Next Fest gives prospective players a no-commitment way to find out. Moss: The Forgotten Relic releases July 16, 2026. It can be wishlisted now on Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox, and Nintendo eShop.

Polyarc's non-VR adaptation of the Moss franchise, The Forgotten Relic, launches July 16 on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch 1|2. A Steam demo arrives June 8.

Moss: The Forgotten Relic Launches July 16 on PC and Consoles, Demo Out June 8

Helsinki-based Channel37 has released a new trailer and updated demo for its ocean-world survival game <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/the-last-caretaker/">The Last Caretaker</a>, following the title's win at the Finnish Game Awards 2025. The award and the new content arrive while the game is still in Early Access, where it has accumulated Very Positive reviews on Steam.The new trailer showcases the game in its current Early Access state, including additions from the most recent major update: a new light utility aircraft called the Salvage Gyro, new world areas, expanded traversal options, the Eden Cradle and Seed Vault Two locations, and a suite of new tools, including decoy equipment, drone support, and hook cables. The update also brought weather and atmosphere improvements alongside a broad technical pass on performance, stability, and physics.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="w-full aspect-video rounded my-3" width="640" height="360" allowfullscreen="true" autoplay="false" disablekbcontrols="false" enableiframeapi="false" endtime="0" ivloadpolicy="0" loop="false" modestbranding="true" origin="" playlist="" rel="1" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ZubNFzgE7ak?modestbranding=1&amp;rel=1" start="0"></iframe></div>Strong player numbers for an Early Access titleChannel37 says players are averaging over 41 hours per session in The Last Caretaker, a notable figure for an unfinished game. Creator attention has also been significant, with the studio reporting more than 27 million YouTube views, 20 million TikTok views, and over 1.2 million hours watched on Twitch since launch.The studio has shipped five major updates since entering Early Access in November 2025, plus an additional shadow-drop update (Update 3.5) and multiple hotfixes.Co-founder Antti Ilvessuo credited the Early Access community directly for shaping the game's direction: "Players tell us where the game bends, where it breaks, and where it becomes something more interesting than we planned."What the game isIn The Last Caretaker, players control a machine, the last active Caretaker, tasked with preserving humanity across a vast ocean world. The gameplay loop involves recovering human seeds, salvaging remnants of a collapsed civilization, restoring systems, and launching survivors into orbit. It blends survival, crafting, exploration, and resource management.Updated demo available nowAn updated demo is live on Steam, bringing the introductory experience more in line with the current build. Channel37 says it includes recent gameplay tuning, optimization work, and a clearer onboarding to the game's core systems. No demo is currently available on the Epic Games Store, where the full game is also sold.The Last Caretaker is available in Early Access on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.steampowered.com">Steam</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.epicgames.com">Epic Games Store</a>. No full release date has been announced.

Finnish ocean-world survival game The Last Caretaker wins Finnish Game of the Year 2025, with a new trailer and updated Steam demo now available.

The Last Caretaker Wins Finnish Game of the Year, Gets New Trailer and Updated Demo

The playtest launched on Steam on May 30, 2026, and runs through June 3, giving tens of thousands of players their first hands-on look at the quirky 1–4 player co-op title. To mark the occasion, Outlier also dropped a brand new gameplay trailer showcasing the game in its current state.Run the Locker Room, Run the ClubIn <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/kitman/">Kitman</a>, players take on the role of an enthusiastic equipment manager tasked with keeping a soccer club ticking from behind the scenes. The job isn't just about folding jerseys, there's a surprisingly deep strategic layer that has the Kitman quietly pulling the strings as a shadow team manager: adjusting formations, scouting fresh talent, and steering the club up the league table.When match day arrives, the real chaos begins. Players must supply a clean kit, repair damaged gear on the fly, and sweat the small stuff, because in Kitman, a single untied shoelace could cost the team the match.The game supports full online co-op for up to four players, or can be tackled solo for those who prefer to run a tight ship alone.Feedback-Driven DevelopmentOutlier has made community playtesting a cornerstone of its development process, a philosophy that defined the studio's previous titles, This Means Warp (2022) and the early access title <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/mars-attracts/">Mars Attracts</a> (2025). Kitman is no different; the studio says feedback gathered during this playtest window will directly inform the game's design ahead of a planned full release later in 2026.Founded in 2018 by Paul Froggatt and Matt Rathbun and operating across Dublin and Belfast, Outlier has built a reputation for inventive strategy games with strong co-op hooks. Kitman looks set to continue that tradition, this time trading deep space for the deep end of professional football.Interested players can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4186890/Kitman/">wishlist Kitman on Steam</a> and follow Outlier's updates across their <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.youtube.com/@OutlierSocial">YouTube</a>, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://discord.com/invite/qweF5Px">Discord</a>, and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://x.com/OutlierSocial">social channels</a>.

Dublin/Belfast indie studio Outlier has kicked off a highly anticipated playtest for its upcoming soccer stadium sim Kitman, drawing 50,000 sign-ups on day one.

Kitman Playtest Goes Live on Steam with 50,000 Players

Croteam and Devolver Digital announced <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/the-talos-principle-3/">The Talos Principle 3</a>, which will close out the studio's acclaimed philosophical <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/best/puzzle/">puzzle</a> series. The game is coming to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/pc/">PC</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/ps5/">PlayStation 5</a>, though no specific release date or pricing has been shared yet beyond a "coming soon" window.The third mainline entry takes players to a location called the Anomaly, a space where the laws of physics break down, filled with crumbling temples and abandoned science outposts. Croteam says the game spans more than a dozen worlds and features new puzzle challenges, though the studio has yet to detail what new mechanics or puzzle types players can expect. A reveal trailer accompanied the announcement.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="w-full aspect-video rounded my-3" width="640" height="360" allowfullscreen="true" autoplay="false" disablekbcontrols="false" enableiframeapi="false" endtime="0" ivloadpolicy="0" loop="false" modestbranding="true" origin="" playlist="" rel="1" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/KhHvIPfczxY?modestbranding=1&amp;rel=1" start="0"></iframe></div>Notably absent from the platform list is any mention of Xbox or Nintendo hardware. Whether The Talos Principle 3 is a timed console exclusive on PS5 or whether additional platforms will be confirmed later remains unclear.A decade-long trilogy wraps up.The original <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/the-talos-principle/">Talos Principle</a> launched in 2014 and earned widespread praise for weaving philosophical questions about consciousness and free will into its first-person puzzle design. Its sequel arrived in 2023 with expanded environments and more ambitious storytelling, and last year Croteam revisited the original with The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/the-talos-principle-reawakened/">Talos Principle: Reawakened</a>, a modernized version of the 2014 game.The Talos Principle 3 marks the conclusion of a series that has been more than a decade in the making. Croteam says it will have more to share soon, so expect a fuller look at gameplay and a concrete release date in the coming weeks or months.

Croteam and Devolver Digital reveal The Talos Principle 3, the final entry in the philosophical puzzle series, heading to PC and PS5.

The Talos Principle 3 Announced as the Series' Final Chapter, Coming to PC and PS5

In <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/held/">Held</a>, players take on the role of a father present for his child's birth and the small, defining moments that follow: feeding, bedtime, and first steps. The game centers on simple physical interactions like holding hands and carrying the child, using those gestures to track how the parent-child relationship shifts as the child grows more independent.What makes the premise notable is its focus on restraint as a mechanic. The game asks players to resist stepping in when their child attempts something new, like walking unaided, and instead simply remain present. It's an uncommon design choice that frames growing up not just as the child's milestone, but as something the parent has to navigate emotionally, learning when to let go.Held is positioned as a brief experience rather than a lengthy campaign, though Sense of Games hasn't specified an expected playtime. Pricing and a release date are both still to be announced. The game will be available on Steam for Windows, with support for ten languages, including English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, and several European languages.For a genre typically dominated by large-scale <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/best/rpg/">RPGs</a> and visual novels, Held's tight scope and grounded subject matter set it apart. Parenthood has been explored in games before, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/that-dragon-cancer/">That Dragon, Cancer</a> and <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/papo-and-yo/">Papo &amp; Yo</a> come to mind, but few have focused so specifically on the quiet, routine side of raising a child rather than framing it through crisis or metaphor.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="w-full aspect-video rounded my-3" width="640" height="360" allowfullscreen="true" autoplay="false" disablekbcontrols="false" enableiframeapi="false" endtime="0" ivloadpolicy="0" loop="false" modestbranding="true" origin="" playlist="" rel="1" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1HvQ0qYmoXY?modestbranding=1&amp;rel=1" start="0"></iframe></div>The Steam store page and trailer are both live now for anyone wanting to wishlist the game ahead of its eventual release.Related pages:<ul class="tight" data-tight="true"><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/pc/upcoming/">Upcoming PC games</a></li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/pc/new/">New PC games</a></li></ul>

Sense of Games reveals Held, a short narrative game where players experience raising a child through everyday moments. Steam page and trailer now live.

Held, a Narrative Game About Fatherhood, Opens Steam Store Page

ARTE France today announced <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/beyond-the-plastic-wall/">Beyond the Plastic Wall</a>, a 2.5D narrative adventure coming to PC via Steam later this year. Players take on the role of Hal, a scavenger who stumbles upon a box of undelivered letters and sets out to return them to their owners across a crumbling, post-collapse world.The game blends exploration with hands-on mechanical puzzles. Rather than abstract brainteasers, the challenges are rooted in the world itself, repairing broken machines, deciphering old communication devices, and coaxing life back into abandoned technology. ARTE France describes these puzzles as sharing "a deeper, interconnected language," suggesting solutions may build on each other as the journey progresses, though the studio didn't elaborate on what that system looks like in practice.Visually, Beyond the Plastic Wall pairs detailed pixel art with modern rendering effects to create its 2.5D environments. The settings range from isolated coastlines to the remnants of a last surviving city, leaning into a melancholic yet not hopeless tone: a world that's fallen apart but still holds traces of the people who lived in it.The premise positions the game within a growing space of contemplative, low-combat exploration titles that prioritize atmosphere and storytelling over action. ARTE France has a track record in this area, having previously published acclaimed artistic games such as Blanc, Homo Machina, and Vandals, and consistently backing projects that treat games as an expressive medium first.A few notable details remain unaddressed. No developer was named in the announcement, only ARTE France as publisher, and no specific release window was given beyond a broad 2026 target. Pricing and any potential platform expansion beyond PC were also left unmentioned.Players interested in following development can <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/2418040/Beyond_The_Plastic_Wall/">wishlist the game on Steam now</a>. ARTE France said more details will come in the months ahead.

ARTE France reveals Beyond the Plastic Wall, a 2.5D narrative exploration game about a scavenger delivering lost letters across a decaying world. Coming to PC this year.

Beyond the Plastic Wall Is a Pixel-Art Narrative Adventure Coming to Steam in 2026

The first new Heroes of Might and Magic game in over a decade is off to a fast start. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/heroes-of-might-and-magic-olden-era/">Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era</a> sold 250,000 copies within roughly 16 hours of entering early access on PC, publisher Hooded Horse announced.The turn-based strategy game, developed by Unfrozen Studio in partnership with Ubisoft, currently holds a 91% "Very Positive" rating on Steam from nearly 3,000 user reviews, a strong signal that the revival is landing well with the series' dedicated fanbase.What's in Early Access, and What's Still ComingOlden Era launched with enough to play, but it isn't feature-complete yet. The developers have outlined a roadmap that includes the remainder of the single-player campaign, additional pre-made scenarios and map templates, a Spectator Mode, and improvements to the Map Editor. Community feedback will also shape ongoing development, though no specific timeline for these additions has been shared.The franchise has been dormant since Might &amp; Magic Heroes VII in 2015, which received mixed reviews and saw its support wind down relatively quickly. That rocky history makes Olden Era's early reception all the more notable; players appear willing to give the series another chance under new stewardship.Pricing and AvailabilityHeroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era is available on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3105440/Heroes_of_Might_and_Magic_Olden_Era/">Steam</a> and the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.microsoft.com/store/productid/9p2tfccrkmrd">Microsoft Store</a> at a base price of $39.99 (£34.99 / €39.99 / ¥3,980). A 25% launch discount runs until May 13, 2026. The game is also accessible through PC Game Pass.

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era moved 250,000 copies within 16 hours of its early access launch, marking a strong debut for the series' long-awaited return.

Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era Sells 250,000 Copies in First Day of Early Access

<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/gurei/">Gurei</a>, the boss-focused action game from Brazilian indie studio Lobo Sagaz Studio, will launch on Steam on July 23, 2026. Publisher Astrolabe Games confirmed the date alongside a new release date trailer.<div data-youtube-video=""><iframe class="w-full aspect-video rounded my-3" width="640" height="360" allowfullscreen="true" autoplay="false" disablekbcontrols="false" enableiframeapi="false" endtime="0" ivloadpolicy="0" loop="false" modestbranding="true" origin="" playlist="" rel="1" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ZHmXrW6F1H4?modestbranding=1&amp;rel=1" start="0"></iframe></div>Players take on the role of Rei, a human spirit tasked with defeating the Kami, powerful nature entities drawn from Japanese mythology. The game wears its samurai-film influences openly, pairing a hand-drawn monochromatic art style with animation-heavy combat that leans hard into precision and pattern recognition. Think boss-rush structure with a twist: every Kami can be challenged in any order.The order you pick changes the difficultyGurei's standout hook is its dynamic difficulty system. Rather than a fixed progression curve, enemy strength scales based on the path you choose. A Kami that serves as a manageable early fight in one run could become the final, most punishing encounter in another. It's a design that rewards experimentation but also punishes procrastination, saving a tough fight for last only makes it harder.Each defeated Kami grants Rei a new combat ability, ranging from enhanced movement options to an executing weapon and a healing skill. Combined with core mechanics like sword attacks, dodges, and head stomps, the system is built to let players tailor their approach to each encounter based on what they've unlocked so far.More than just boss fightsBetween battles, Rei moves through a surreal castle that sits between the human and spirit worlds. As players progress, they encounter creatures from Japanese folklore who offer side objectives, lore, and hidden content. Defeated Kami also stick around — literally. Once absorbed, they travel with Rei and provide running commentary that ranges from genuinely useful gameplay hints to deliberately unhelpful remarks.Demo available now, console plans still TBDA public demo for Gurei is currently live on its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="underline underline underline-offset-2 decoration-1 decoration-current/40 hover:decoration-current focus:decoration-current" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/Gurei">Steam page</a>. Astrolabe Games noted that console versions are planned but offered no platforms, dates, or further details. Pricing for the PC release has also not been announced.Lobo Sagaz Studio is a small independent team based in Brazil. Gurei appears to be the studio's debut title.

Gurei, a hand-drawn action game inspired by samurai cinema, launches on Steam July 23, 2026. A playable demo is available now.

Neil Yamit