<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/asterfel/">Asterfel</a>, a gothic action RPG inspired by 2000s-era classics, launched its first public playtest today on Steam. The playtest is part of Steam's Medieval Fest, giving players an early look at the faction-driven RPG ahead of its full release.Players take on the role of a shipwreck survivor stranded on the island of Asterfel, a land fractured by war, corrupted magic, and an awakened ancient god. The setup is classic dark fantasy: a king's mining operations have unleashed mutant creatures and disturbed the dead, while nature and magic spiral out of control across the island.Three Factions, One IslandCentral to Asterfel's structure is a faction system split three ways. The Crown Wardens represent the ruling authority, the Kindred serve as a rebellious opposition, and the Scholars wield magical knowledge. Players can choose to align with one faction or work with all three, with the game framing these allegiances as meaningful to how the story unfolds.Combat and ProgressionOn the combat side, Asterfel offers melee, ranged, and magic options. Players can fight with swords, bows, or magical runes for spellcasting, and the game encourages mixing playstyles. Ability upgrades are part of the progression loop alongside resource gathering and gear crafting.An Open World With Scaling DifficultyExploration spans deserts, jungles, and ancient ruins, with enemy difficulty increasing the further players venture from familiar territory. It's a structure that echoes the 2000s RPGs the game draws inspiration from, where wandering into the wrong area too early could mean a quick death.The playtest is available now on Steam, though no timeline was provided for how long it will remain open. A full release date and pricing have not been announced. Players interested in following development can wishlist the game on its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3892510/Asterfel/">Steam page</a>.

Gothic ARPG Asterfel launches its first public playtest on Steam today, featuring faction-based questing, deep combat, and a cursed island to explore.

Asterfel Playtest Goes Live on Steam as Part of Medieval Fest

The cozy camper-van adventure <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/outbound/">Outbound</a> has been pushed back by three weeks, with developer Square Glade Games and publisher Silver Lining Interactive confirming today that the game will now launch on May 14, rather than its original April 23 release date.According to the development team, a late-stage issue was discovered following the game’s recent multi-platform demo that could have a noticeable impact on the player experience. Rather than ship with the problem unresolved, the studio opted to take the extra time to ensure a smooth launch day across every platform.“Late in the process, an issue has been identified that could negatively impact your enjoyment of the game,” the team said in a statement. “We know that you may be disappointed by this news, but appreciate your understanding and believe the delay will result in a more polished, bug-free experience.”It’s a cautious but sensible move for a title that has clearly struck a chord with players. Outbound has racked up over 1.4 million wishlists on Steam alone, with tens of thousands more across PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo, &nbsp;making it one of the most-anticipated indie releases of the year. Its blend of cozy crafting, open-world exploration, and survival-lite gameplay, set inside a customizable camper van, has proven to be a compelling pitch, and the studio will be keen to ensure first impressions match expectations.As a goodwill gesture, the free demo will remain available on Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S until May 12, giving players plenty of time to get a taste of life on the road before the full launch. The demo features a sizeable chunk of the opening map, camper-van building and customization, crafting and upgrade systems, and both solo and co-op play.Outbound launches May 14 on PC via Steam, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

Glade Games delays its cozy camper-van adventure by three weeks to address a late-stage issue, while extending the free demo until May 12.

Outbound Delayed to May 14 as Developers Prioritise Polish Across All Platforms

Valkyrie Initiative and solo developer 70`Strike have announced <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/kettlebell-inferno-hotel/">Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel</a>, a high-speed 2D platformer coming to PC via Steam and GOG, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. No release date or pricing has been confirmed.The game casts players as Mr. K, an ordinary office worker who ends up in hell following an absurd accident. Hell, in this case, takes the form of a bizarre hotel where each floor is locked down and packed with hazards. The goal is to fight through every floor and reach the Boss to sort out the cosmic mix-up.Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel features over 40 handcrafted stages spread across nine themed floors of the Inferno Hotel. Settings range from scorching factories to a park for "homeless souls," leaning into the game's surreal, darkly comedic tone. Enemies and bosses skew grotesque, and the game offers two distinct modes: Classic, which uses a traditional lives system, and Arcade, where players can't die but take heavy score penalties on hit, pushing for a high-score chase instead.Visually, the game uses hand-drawn pixel art with frame-by-frame animation. The soundtrack, composed by the developer, blends jazz, 80s disco, and blues into a retro-flavored mix.Steam Playtest and Exclusive RewardsAlongside the announcement, Valkyrie Initiative opened sign-ups for a Steam Playtest. Players who participate and meet certain conditions will earn exclusive in-game items at launch, including a golden kettlebell skin, a "stinky" kettlebell skin, and a yellow shirt for Mr. K.The top-tier reward requires S-ranking every stage in the Playtest build, unlocking the "Golden Run" Steam achievement, wishlisting the game, and following Valkyrie Initiative's Steam publisher page. Other rewards are tied to separate achievements and participation milestones. A specific start date for the Playtest has not yet been announced.A Retro Love Letter with Its Own Identity70`Strike is the work of solo developer Ksayfar (Dmitriy Bukhtatov), whose previous title was Skelethrone, a darker, more punishing action game. In a statement, Ksayfar described Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel as a deliberate shift in tone: "After working on a dark, challenging world like Skelethrone, I wanted to make something lighter, weirder, and more playful, without losing the punch and personality that make action games memorable."He cited Earthworm Jim, Boogerman, Bubba 'n' Stix, and Sonic as key inspirations, layered over a hell setting loosely inspired by the Divine Comedy. The result, he said, aims to be "fast, surreal, handcrafted, and intentionally a little odd."For a new IP from a solo developer, the wide platform spread across both current and last-gen consoles is ambitious. How that translates in practice, particularly on Switch, remains to be seen. Players interested in trying the game early can request Playtest access now through its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/4032020/Kettlebell_Inferno_Hotel/">Steam page</a>.Source: Valkyrie Initiative press release, April 10, 2026

Valkyrie Initiative reveals Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel, a retro 2D platformer by solo dev 70`Strike. Steam Playtest sign-ups are now open.

Kettlebell: Inferno Hotel Announced as 90s-Inspired 2D Platformer for PC and Consoles

Today, The Pokémon Company launched Pokémon Champions on the Nintendo eShop for both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, with a mobile version planned for release later this year.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/pokmon-champions/">Pokémon Champions</a> focuses on traditional turn-based Pokémon battles built around familiar mechanics, including Pokémon types, Abilities, and moves. The game aims to give Trainers access to the deep and varied battle strategies the series is known for.A Pokémon Champions + Starter Pack bundle is also available starting today. The bundle includes the base game along with additional in-game bonuses designed to give Trainers a head start on their competitive journey. Players on Nintendo Switch 2 will benefit from enhanced visuals.Early Rewards and Mega DragoniteTrainers who play Pokémon Champions by Monday, 31 August 2026, can claim Dragonite and 100 Quick Coupons from their in-game mailbox. Players can also obtain a Dragoninite stone through the first season's battle pass. When Dragonite holds the Dragoninite stone, it can Mega Evolve into Mega Dragonite.Pokémon Champions Becomes the New Home of VGCThe Play! Pokémon Program will transition to Pokémon Champions as the main platform for the Video Game Championships (VGC) beginning in April.At local game stores, Pokémon Champions play will begin rolling out at launch, with availability depending on the Pokémon League location. The competitive calendar for VGC on Pokémon Champions includes several major events:<ul class="tight" data-tight="true"><li>Indianapolis Regional Championships, 29–31 May</li><li>Turin Special Championships, 6–7 June</li><li>North America International Championships, 12–14 June</li><li>Pokémon World Championships, 28–30 August</li></ul>The Indianapolis Regional Championships will be the first main event to feature Pokémon Champions.Pokémon Champions is available now on the Nintendo eShop.

A new competitive Pokémon battling experience has arrived, bringing classic turn-based strategy to Nintendo's latest hardware and setting the stage for the future of official Pokémon esports.

Pokémon Champions Is Available Now on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, Mobile Version Coming Later This Year

tinyBuild and developer All Parts Connected have released <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/all-will-fall/">ALL WILL FALL</a>, a survival city builder set in a flooded, post-apocalyptic world, on Steam for $29.99 with a 15% launch discount.The game tasks players with building vertical settlements on the ocean, stacking buildings upward while contending with real-world physics that can send poorly planned structures toppling down. It's a colony sim where land is scarce and the only direction to expand is up.ALL WILL FALL arrives after building significant community interest during its pre-launch period, accumulating over 300,000 wishlists on Steam. A demo release also performed well, drawing more than 200,000 unique players and earning a 91% positive review rating.The full game includes eight official scenarios, each set on a distinct location such as a wrecked tanker ship, a derelict oil rig, a cultist-run island, and a towering skyscraper. tinyBuild is promising over 100 hours of strategic gameplay across those scenarios, a Sandbox mode, and Steam Workshop integration with a built-in map editor for community-created levels. Additional content and expanded modding support are planned for post-launch updates.Beyond construction, players manage competing factions within their cities, each with unique traits and demands. The game presents moral choices as well, letting players govern as benevolent leaders or iron-fisted tyrants, with consequences that follow either path."After working on the game for years, you get used to it, but then you hand it to the players, and they start doing the wildest things," All Parts Connected co-founders Dominykas Kiauleikis and Danas Matusevičius said in a joint statement. "This release is just the start of our journey."A free demo remains available on Steam, and players can transfer their demo saves into the full version.

Build upward or watch it all come crashing down in this flooded-world colony sim that challenges players to defy gravity and govern humanity's last survivors.

ALL WILL FALL, tinyBuild's Physics-Based Post-Apocalyptic City Builder, Launches on Steam

Isometric puzzle adventure <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/aarik-and-the-ruined-kingdom/">Aarik And The Ruined Kingdom</a> has launched on Nintendo Switch via the Nintendo eShop. Publisher Shatterproof Games has priced the game at $6.99 / €5.99 / £5.49.The game puts players in the role of Aarik, a young adventurer exploring the mysteries of a forgotten kingdom. Drawing inspiration from M.C. Escher, Monument Valley, and Lara Croft Go, the title challenges players to manipulate camera angles to reveal hidden paths, repair broken machines, and navigate impossible geometry across hand-designed levels.Beyond its perspective-based puzzles, the game emphasizes immersive storytelling. Players can uncover hidden secrets, notes, and pathways scattered throughout the world, while meeting quirky characters and helping the kingdom's inhabitants along the way.The Switch version has been specifically optimized for the platform, with settings, graphics, audio, and controls all tailored to the console. The game supports all of the Switch's play modes.Aarik And The Ruined Kingdom is available now on the Nintendo eShop.

Isometric puzzle adventure inspired by M.C. Escher and Monument Valley launches on eShop for $6.99

Aarik And The Ruined Kingdom Now Available on Nintendo Switch

CI Games announced today that <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://whatoplay.com/games/the-lords-of-the-fallen/">Lords of the Fallen (2023)</a> surpassed 2.5 million copies sold worldwide. The game broke even at the end of February with a total budget of 298 million Polish złoty (about $80.45 million), covering both development and marketing costs.The dark fantasy action-RPG crossed the 2 million units sold mark in August 2025, after the release of over 70 post-launch updates since the game's initial 2023 launch. Its final major update, Version 2.5, arrived in December 2025 and introduced a new Veteran Mode, along with revamped enemy encounters throughout the game."Reaching break-even is a significant achievement for an ambitious project like Lords of the Fallen, especially in a challenging market," said CI Games CEO and co-founder Marek Tyminski. "It validates the passion and hard work of our team, as well as the unwavering support from our community."Tyminski highlighted the milestone as a foundation, not a goal, noting that lessons and community feedback over two and a half years shape Lords of the Fallen II's development.The sales milestone comes shortly after CI Games secured an additional $19 million in investor funding earlier this week, with the capital earmarked for diversifying distribution channels for the sequel. Recently released alpha footage of Lords of the Fallen II, showcasing faster, more aggressive combat, has received a positive reception online.Lords of the Fallen II, built on Unreal Engine 5, is set to release this year on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

CI Games' dark fantasy action-RPG has officially recouped its $80.45 million budget, as the studio turns its attention to Lords of the Fallen II later this year.

Lords of the Fallen Hits 2.5 Million Sales, CI Games Confirms Break-Even

Here's an exclusive look into indie game development, their next projects, and team's journey from classroom to indie success.

'Minds Beneath Us', An interview with Bear Bone Studio

List of anticipated PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch games launching in 2024.

2024 Upcoming Games Release Schedule

Ubisoft has just revealed the next installment of the Assassin’s Creed franchise. <a href="https://whatoplay.com/pc/assassins-creed-shadows/">Assassin’s Creed Shadows</a> is set during Japan’s turbulent Sengoku period. The story revolves around two characters: Naoe, a skilled shinobi, and Yasuke, the celebrated African samurai.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows is set to launch on PC, Mac (Apple Silicon), PS5, and Series X|S on November 15, 2024.



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A collection of stills and concept arts of Ubisoft's upcoming AC game.

Neil Yamit