First Pass

67 stories from 5 sources

Wolverine stumbles as major game projects change direction

Day’s Recap

Supporting Articles

12:41 PMPolygon

Marvel's Wolverine Is One of Sony's Worst-Reviewed PS5 Exclusives

Summary

Marvel's Wolverine has landed as a rare critical disappointment for Sony and Insomniac Games. Reviewers have taken issue with its linear gameplay and narrative.

That reaction stands out because Insomniac has built a strong reputation with its Spider-Man games

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Why it matters

The game's reception is a notable setback for one of Sony's biggest superhero projects and one of its most trusted studios.

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11:00 AMPolygon

Marvel’s Wolverine Is the Biggest Disappointment of the PS5 Era

Summary

Marvel's Wolverine reportedly falls short as a major PS5 showcase, with shallow action and a weak story. Instead of delivering a memorable take on the character, it struggles to make its big moments land.

Wolverine should be an easy fit for a hard-hitting action game, which makes the missed

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Why it matters

A high-profile Marvel game failing to make an impact raises questions about how much star power alone can carry a release.

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4:22 AMThe Verge

Xbox picks up Kojima’s Physint after PlayStation dropped it

Summary

Xbox will publish Physint, the upcoming game from Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima, after PlayStation canceled the project. The surprise handoff came alongside a burst of announcements involving Xbox, PlayStation, Kojima Productions, and Kojima himself.

It is an unusually dramatic reversal for a game maker so closely tied to PlayStation.

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Why it matters

The switch gives Xbox a major creative partnership while leaving PlayStation without Kojima’s next headline game.

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4:09 PMPolygon

PS5 Heist Shooter Fairgames Makes Surprising Return Under New Name

Summary

A multiplayer project called Project Espresso appears to be Fairgames, the heist-focused game PlayStation announced in 2023. Its apparent reappearance suggests the game may have been quietly reworked rather than abandoned.

A new internal name often means a project has changed direction behind the scenes. For

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Why it matters

PlayStation may be reviving one of its most mysterious live-service projects.

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2 stories · 2 sources

1:12 PMPolygon

A Brand-New Early Access FPS Is Topping the Steam Charts

Summary

Wardogs, a new first-person shooter in Steam Early Access, sold more than 1 million copies on launch day. That strong start has sent it racing up the platform's charts.

A million-copy debut is a striking result for an unfinished game, especially from a new

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Why it matters

Wardogs is an early sign that players are willing to rally behind a promising shooter before its full release.

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5:07 AMThe Verge

Nintendo’s latest Switch 2 update adds VRR support in TV mode

Summary

Nintendo's 23.0.0 firmware update finally enables variable refresh rate on the Switch 2 when it is connected to a TV. VRR matches the screen's refresh rate to the game's frame rate, which can make motion look smoother and reduce visual tearing.

The feature was promised for launch but arrived late, so this is more catch-up than

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Why it matters

Switch 2 owners now get a smoother TV experience without buying a new console.

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11:00 PMPolygon

13 Years Later, Warframe is About to Be Bigger Than Ever

Summary

Warframe is preparing for its Iceblade of Narin update on September 23. The expansion will add a new Warframe and a new in-game hub, with creative director Rebecca Ford teasing a major next chapter for the long-running online game.

Warframe has already outlasted most live-service games, and it keeps finding ways to expand rather

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Why it matters

A 13-year-old game is still growing, and this update could bring its biggest wave of attention yet.

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5:43 PMVariety

‘The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ 40th Anniversary Remake Sets Nintendo Switch 2 Release Date (Gaming News Roundup)

Summary

An updated version of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on Nov. 5. It brings sharper visuals, fully voiced cutscenes, expanded dialogue, orchestral music, and redesigned controls.

Nintendo is treating one of its most beloved adventures to a serious overhaul rather than

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Why it matters

A landmark Zelda game is getting a modern makeover aimed at both longtime fans and new players.

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6:23 PMIGN

GameStop Is Re-Opening Stores That Previously Closed Down

Summary

GameStop is bringing some shuttered locations back, with at least one store set to reopen this week. The move reverses part of the retailer’s long-running store-closing strategy.

GameStop is betting that physical retail still has a role, especially for trade-ins, collectibles and

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Why it matters

The return of closed locations signals renewed confidence in GameStop’s brick-and-mortar business.

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Other Developments

A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.

8:50 PMIGN

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless Gaming Headset With Infinite Battery Life Drops to $250

Summary

SteelSeries' Arctis Nova Pro Wireless gaming headset is down to $250. Its swappable battery system lets you keep playing wirelessly with virtually no downtime.

That is a notable discount for a premium headset, especially if charging breaks your gaming

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Why it matters

You can cut the cable without constantly stopping to recharge.

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8:46 PMIGN

The Retroid Pocket Duo Looks Perfect for DS and 3DS Emulation

Summary

The Retroid Pocket Duo is an Android handheld designed around dual-screen gaming. Its layout looks especially well suited to emulating Nintendo DS and 3DS games, giving older portable systems a modern home.

Handheld gaming is booming, but not every interesting device is chasing the Steam Deck crowd.

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Why it matters

It could be one of the most natural ways to play DS and 3DS games outside their original consoles.

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6:40 PMIGN

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally Handheld Gaming PC Drops to Just $399.36 at Amazon Resale

Summary

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC is available through Amazon Resale for $399.36. That puts it about $100 below the Switch 2, making the Windows-based device a much more tempting option for portable players.

The lower price helps soften the usual handheld PC tradeoffs, including a less streamlined setup

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Why it matters

A sub-$400 price puts a powerful gaming handheld in direct competition with Nintendo’s latest hardware.

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6:00 PMIGN

Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 Review

Summary

Early impressions of Aliens: Fireteam Elite 2 are beginning to emerge, with the review framing the game through its familiar Colonial Marine appeal. The follow-up is being judged on whether it can deliver another satisfying squad-based fight against the xenomorph threat.

The setup remains a strong fit for cooperative shooters, but the sequel has to offer

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Why it matters

The sequel is being put through its paces as the next co-op test for Aliens fans.

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6:00 PMIGN

Use MapGenie's Mortal Shell 2 Map to Track Essential Locations and Items

Summary

A MapGenie guide gives Mortal Shell 2 players an interactive way to track important locations, items and points of interest. It is designed to make the game’s world easier to navigate when exploration starts turning into backtracking.

Soulslike games often hide useful gear and objectives in easy-to-miss corners, so a searchable map

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Why it matters

The map turns Mortal Shell 2’s exploration into a more manageable checklist without removing the challenge of getting there.

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5:55 PMIGN

Arthur Morgan's Coughing Fits in Red Dead Redemption 2 Sound So Real Because Actor Roger Clark Was Actually Sick

Summary

Roger Clark says Arthur Morgan’s harsh coughing fits in Red Dead Redemption 2 were recorded while he was genuinely sick. That real-life illness helped give the character’s decline an especially raw and believable sound.

It is an unusually literal example of an actor’s physical condition becoming part of a

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Why it matters

A small behind-the-scenes detail shows how intensely Red Dead Redemption 2 grounded Arthur’s illness in reality.

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5:17 PMPolygon

What's Free on Steam This Weekend (Sept. 11-14)

Summary

Steam is offering Borderlands 4 and four other games to play for free from Sept. 11 through 14. Players who decide to keep them can also find discounts of up to 90 percent.

It is a low-risk way to sample a handful of games over the weekend, with

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Why it matters

Steam’s weekend promotion lets players try five games for free before deciding whether to buy.

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5:10 PMVariety

The Legend of Patricia Summersett’s ‘Zelda’: Voice Actress Behind Nintendo’s Iconic Princess on Franchise’s 40th Anniversary, Upcoming Live-Action Movie

Summary

Patricia Summersett has helped define Princess Zelda for a new generation, bringing the character to life across Nintendo’s modern games. As the franchise reaches its 40th anniversary and a live-action movie moves forward, she reflects on playing one of gaming’s most recognizable heroes.

Zelda may change with every adventure, but Summersett’s performances give the princess a steady emotional

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Why it matters

Zelda’s anniversary is also a reminder of how much the character’s identity depends on the performers behind the screen.

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5:02 PMIGN

Call of Duty's Anti-Cheat Boss Dispels Cheating Myths, Breaks Down Review Process, and More

Summary

Call of Duty’s anti-cheat chief explains how the franchise investigates suspected cheating and pushes back on common misconceptions about the process. The discussion comes as cheating has grown into a major business and forced publishers to build dedicated enforcement teams.

The challenge is finding the balance between acting quickly and avoiding false bans, especially when

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Why it matters

Cheating is now big enough to require full-time, highly specialized operations across major online games.

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3:05 PMIGN

Pay Half Price for the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike Wireless Gaming Mouse With Haptic Inductive Triggers

Summary

Logitech's high-end G Pro X2 Superstrike wireless mouse is currently available for half price. It stands out for its haptic inductive triggers, a feature aimed at giving competitive players faster, more tactile input.

The discount makes an expensive enthusiast accessory much easier to justify. Whether those extra controls

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Why it matters

A steep sale puts a premium gaming mouse within reach for players who want more responsive controls.

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3:00 PMPolygon

Virtue and a Sledgehammer hits different. We asked a neuroscientist to explain why.

Summary

Virtue and a Sledgehammer turns smashing objects into its central pleasure, and a neuroscientist explains why that kind of destruction feels so satisfying. The game taps into the immediate reward of cause and effect: swing, impact, break.

There is something wonderfully direct about virtual destruction. Games can make a simple physical action

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Why it matters

The game's appeal shows how satisfying basic, well-designed interactions can be.

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2:34 PMPolygon

Final Fantasy 7's Future in Fortnite Is Unclear, but There’s Hope

Summary

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi discussed the series' connection to Fortnite and hinted that future plans are not completely off the table. Nothing firm has been announced, but the door appears to remain open.

Fortnite has become a major crossover hub, so a Final Fantasy 7 appearance would be

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Why it matters

Final Fantasy 7 could still make its way into Fortnite, keeping a highly anticipated crossover alive.

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2:01 PMPolygon

What time are the Gold and Cheat Master power hours in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 4?

Summary

Fortnite is scheduling Gold and Cheat Master power hours during Chapter 7 Season 4. Players can use the weekly events to earn or access special bonuses for a limited time.

The appeal is simple: log in during the right window and get more out of

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Why it matters

These rotating power hours give Fortnite players another reason to return throughout the week.

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12:51 PMPolygon

Xbox Makes 6 Games Free to Play This Weekend

Summary

Xbox's Free Play Days promotion is opening up six games for three days at no cost. The event also includes a sale for players who decide to keep playing after the free weekend ends.

It is a low-risk way to sample several games without committing to a purchase. The

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Why it matters

Xbox is using a short free-access window to drive both weekend activity and game sales.

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12:29 PMPolygon

Steam Users Rejoice as Ubisoft Kills Controversial Launcher

Summary

Ubisoft is reportedly preparing to shut down its controversial PC launcher. That could let players access Ubisoft games through Steam with fewer hurdles.

PC players have long disliked extra launchers that add another account, app, and layer of

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Why it matters

Removing the launcher could make Ubisoft's Steam releases easier to buy, start, and return to.

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11:00 AMNew York Times Arts

A Moody Wolverine Lets His Claws Do the Talking

Summary

Marvel’s Wolverine throws players into lightning fast fights alongside Jean Grey and Sabretooth. The action is brutal, flashy, and built around letting Logan’s claws handle most of the conversation.

The game appears to be leaning hard into Wolverine’s more feral side. That speed and

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Why it matters

It is shaping up as a big, violent showcase for one of Marvel’s most recognizable heroes.

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11:00 AMThe Verge

Wolverine on the PS5 goes back to a simpler (and bloodier) style of action game

Summary

Insomniac's Wolverine is a direct, hard-hitting action game built around the character's rage. Its best moments come from tearing through enemies and surviving big cinematic set pieces, including a frantic climb across a crashing plane.

Rather than chasing an especially complicated formula, the game appears to lean into the blunt

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Why it matters

Wolverine is shaping up to be a focused, brutally physical PS5 showcase.

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5:00 AMNew York Times Arts

Grand Theft Auto VI and 11 More Games to Play This Fall

Summary

This fall's game lineup leans heavily into violence, horror and nostalgia. Alongside Grand Theft Auto VI, players can expect new entries in Silent Hill, Gears of War and Final Fantasy.

It is a crowded season for big-budget releases, with familiar franchises doing much of the

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Why it matters

Gamers will have no shortage of major releases competing for their time this fall.

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5:00 AMNew York Times Arts

Control Resonant’s Director Watches ‘Twin Peaks’ Every Year

Summary

Control Resonant, the next game from the team behind Alan Wake, draws heavily from David Lynch’s surreal style. Expect strange imagery, uneasy emotions, and a world that feels deliberately difficult to explain.

The annual Twin Peaks viewing is a pretty clear creative signal. Remedy seems ready to

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Why it matters

The game could become another distinctive blend of psychological drama, mystery, and beautiful weirdness.

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5:00 AMNew York Times Arts

Control Resonant’s Director Watches ‘Twin Peaks’ Every Year

Summary

The team behind Alan Wake is bringing a distinctly surreal mood to its upcoming game, Control Resonant. Its director draws on the unsettling visuals and emotional tension of David Lynch's Twin Peaks.

That influence points to a game more interested in strange atmosphere and creeping unease than

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Why it matters

Control Resonant could offer one of the year's most distinctive and unsettling game worlds.

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