Coliseum

Firstly, I admit my headline is hyperbolic. Best and worst are subjective and neither word is fully applicable when it comes to Elden Ring on Switch 2. The wordier, more accurate headline that would not inspire the precious clicks that we need to survive in this media hellscape landscape is, “Elden Ring is Okay on Switch 2, so if you can play it somewhere else I would recommend that, but if this is your only option and you haven’t already played it, then this version will get the job done.”

I played about two hours of Elden Ring on Switch 2 in docked mode. Moving through the tutorial in the caves feels pretty good. It does not hit 60 FPS, unfortunately, but it is consistent, which is important. Leaving the caves and entering the open world is where the game stumbles, but not dangerously so.

Swinging the camera around quickly in the open world is uncomfortable and jumping on your horse, Torrent, is where I felt the game struggle the most. But it’s not a disaster. And to be fair, wildly swinging the camera around in the open world is not how anyone plays Elden Ring. Jumping into the little pockets of combat strewn across the open world was more than manageable, as you are focusing the camera on your enemy, not the insane looking castle in the distance.

When I encountered monsters like the lovely fella seen above, the game also did not struggle as I feared it would.

Playing Elden Ring on Switch 2 made me think of Resident Evil 2 on Nintendo 64, which was personally my first experience with the franchise. The N64 version of that game had some improvements compared to its PlayStation counterpart, but its cutscenes and backgrounds were highly compressed to fit on a cartridge instead of discs. It is generally considered the inferior version of the game, but is a perfectly reasonable way to play and when I was young, it was my only option. I did not feel as though I had missed on an important element of the Resident Evil 2 experience.

If you’re in that boat, maybe a young or new player who only has a Switch 2 and no other available platforms, and you’re excited to play what some have called the best game ever made (again… subjective), then Elden Ring on Switch 2 will get the job done. I believe you will get the Elden Ring experience here, but with some asterisks. This is not a Switch 1 port of a PlayStation 5 game where the framerate is merely a suggestion and everything looks out of focus. Elden Ring on Switch 2 is a much better port than say, The Outer Worlds on Switch 1.

However, if you’re like me and you put hundreds of hours into the game on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, or a solid PC, then you will see those asterisks the moment you load the game on Switch 2. You have a point of comparison and you won’t be able to get all those beautiful additional frames those platforms afforded you.

You can read Game Informer’s review of Elden Ring by following the link.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, and developer Rockstar Games has been very secretive about what’s included in the upcoming game. In fact, it comes out in less than three months and nobody has even seen gameplay yet. Well, official gameplay, that is. Last week, anonymous leakers started sharing videos of Grand Theft Auto VI online. At first, people questioned whether the footage was legitimate, but Rockstar’s statement erases any room for doubt. Needless to say, the company isn’t happy about the situation.

Here’s the statement in full:

Dear all,

We know that many of you have been waiting to hear from us regarding the events of the past week. It would be an understatement to say that having videos of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay leak in this way has been heartbreaking for our team, and this is obviously not how we intended for you to see the game after all this time. We are very sorry that everything has taken as long as it has — from getting the game finished (nearly there!) to sharing more details and official gameplay, and providing the community with everything you want to know.

We are very excited for everyone to see the extended look tomorrow. It has taken longer than we wanted to get it ready, but as with everything we do know, we know we need to exceed your expectations, and we are determined to deliver at the level you expect and deserve. While it is unfortunate that the intended game experience may now be impacted by some spoilers, we hope that everyone will wait a bit longer to experience the game for themselves on November 19.

We want to thank everyone in the community who has reached out with messages of support this past week — your words have meant more to this team than you can imagine. Ultimately, we are making this game for you, and without you, we would not have the privilege of making games. 

We look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Sincerely,

Rockstar Games

As referenced in the statement, this wave of leaks comes in the days preceding Rockstar’s “Extended Look” Grand Theft Auto VI presentation on Netflix, which airs tomorrow, August 27. Leaks of any kind would take the wind out of a developer’s sails, but when it happens so close to this event, it’s no wonder Rockstar’s statement describes the situation as “heartbreaking.”   

Our last official look at the game was in May of 2025, when Rockstar released the game’s second trailer. It currently has over 178 million views on YouTube. Its first trailer, released in December 2023, has almost 290 million views.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The Extended Look stream airs tomorrow at 12 p.m. PT and 3 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix, but it will be uploaded to YouTube later that day.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19, and developer Rockstar Games has been very secretive about what’s included in the upcoming game. In fact, it comes out in less than three months and nobody has even seen gameplay yet. Well, official gameplay, that is. Last week, anonymous leakers started sharing videos of Grand Theft Auto VI online. At first, people questioned whether the footage was legitimate, but Rockstar’s statement erases any room for doubt. Needless to say, the company isn’t happy about the situation.

Here’s the statement in full:

Dear all,

We know that many of you have been waiting to hear from us regarding the events of the past week. It would be an understatement to say that having videos of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay leak in this way has been heartbreaking for our team, and this is obviously not how we intended for you to see the game after all this time. We are very sorry that everything has taken as long as it has — from getting the game finished (nearly there!) to sharing more details and official gameplay, and providing the community with everything you want to know.

We are very excited for everyone to see the extended look tomorrow. It has taken longer than we wanted to get it ready, but as with everything we do know, we know we need to exceed your expectations, and we are determined to deliver at the level you expect and deserve. While it is unfortunate that the intended game experience may now be impacted by some spoilers, we hope that everyone will wait a bit longer to experience the game for themselves on November 19.

We want to thank everyone in the community who has reached out with messages of support this past week — your words have meant more to this team than you can imagine. Ultimately, we are making this game for you, and without you, we would not have the privilege of making games. 

We look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Sincerely,

Rockstar Games

As referenced in the statement, this wave of leaks comes in the days preceding Rockstar’s “Extended Look” Grand Theft Auto VI presentation on Netflix, which airs tomorrow, August 27. Leaks of any kind would take the wind out of a developer’s sails, but when it happens so close to this event, it’s no wonder Rockstar’s statement describes the situation as “heartbreaking.”   

Our last official look at the game was in May of 2025, when Rockstar released the game’s second trailer. It currently has over 178 million views on YouTube. Its first trailer, released in December 2023, has almost 290 million views.

Grand Theft Auto VI launches on November 19 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. The Extended Look stream airs tomorrow at 12 p.m. PT and 3 p.m. ET exclusively on Netflix, but it will be uploaded to YouTube later that day.

Xbox has officially announced its rumored program that will allow owners of physical Xbox games to use them to claim entitlement to their digital counterparts. This disc-to-digital initiative will become available next week for Xbox Insider members to test out before rolling out to the general public.

“Today we are introducing a feature that brings the benefits of digital to physical discs, giving players more flexibility in how they access and play supported games across the XBOX ecosystem,” reads an Xbox Wire post. “This is part of our broader commitment to game preservation. As technology, devices, and distribution continue to evolve, preserving access to the games people own matters more than ever.” 

By inserting a supported Xbox Series X or Xbox One disc game into a console and launching the game, users will automatically claim the digital version. Once claimed, users can experience the perks of the digital version, such as accessing it on multiple platforms using Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming; the physical disc will still work as it always has.  This essentially eliminates the need to purchase the same game twice, as has been the case for players who want to own physical and digital copies of the same title. Xbox Insiders will begin testing this feature on August 31. 

Xbox states that “thousands” of Xbox Series X and Xbox One titles will initially support this feature, with more games added over time. “While not every title will be available at launch, this is an important step toward a future where players can have greater confidence that the games they buy remain with them for years to come,” says Xbox. It’s unclear when Xbox plans to launch this program to the general public following the Insider testing period.

This disc-to-digital strategy comes as Xbox’s competitor PlayStation has been embroiled in a firestorm of controversy and fan resentment after announcing plans to cease production of physical game discs in 2028. It also potentially serves as a bit of a PR remedy after Xbox initiated massive layoffs (many of which are still incoming) across its studios as part of a restructuring that saw it cut five of its internal development studios loose, the institution of another console price increase this month, among other recent setbacks. 

Xbox has officially announced its rumored program that will allow owners of physical Xbox games to use them to claim entitlement to their digital counterparts. This disc-to-digital initiative will become available next week for Xbox Insider members to test out before rolling out to the general public.

“Today we are introducing a feature that brings the benefits of digital to physical discs, giving players more flexibility in how they access and play supported games across the XBOX ecosystem,” reads an Xbox Wire post. “This is part of our broader commitment to game preservation. As technology, devices, and distribution continue to evolve, preserving access to the games people own matters more than ever.” 

By inserting a supported Xbox Series X or Xbox One disc game into a console and launching the game, users will automatically claim the digital version. Once claimed, users can experience the perks of the digital version, such as accessing it on multiple platforms using Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Cloud Gaming; the physical disc will still work as it always has.  This essentially eliminates the need to purchase the same game twice, as has been the case for players who want to own physical and digital copies of the same title. Xbox Insiders will begin testing this feature on August 31. 

Xbox states that “thousands” of Xbox Series X and Xbox One titles will initially support this feature, with more games added over time. “While not every title will be available at launch, this is an important step toward a future where players can have greater confidence that the games they buy remain with them for years to come,” says Xbox. It’s unclear when Xbox plans to launch this program to the general public following the Insider testing period.

This disc-to-digital strategy comes as Xbox’s competitor PlayStation has been embroiled in a firestorm of controversy and fan resentment after announcing plans to cease production of physical game discs in 2028. It also potentially serves as a bit of a PR remedy after Xbox initiated massive layoffs (many of which are still incoming) across its studios as part of a restructuring that saw it cut five of its internal development studios loose, the institution of another console price increase this month, among other recent setbacks. 

Reviewed on:
PlayStation 5

Platform:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Publisher:
Focus Entertainment

Developer:
Asobo Studio

Release:
August 27, 2026

Rating:
Mature

If Resonance’s subtitle, A Plague Tale Legacy, scares you off because you don’t know the larger franchise, fear not. I am living proof that playing the previous two Plague Tale games (which follow different characters and take place after this game) is not required. But as an early compliment to protagonist Sophia’s adventure, I am now a fan and grateful to have an excuse to spend more time in this world. Resonance is not a particularly innovative game, but its well-realized characters, impressive performances, fun-if-simple combat, and rewarding environmental puzzles make for a well-paced and engaging experience that should make Sony raise an eyebrow.

Whether intentionally or coincidentally, Resonance is an impressive cross between Uncharted and God of War, even if it never quite reaches the heights of either. Sophia is a scoundrel of sorts, having grown up in a supportive pirate community after her father was forced to save her from a dangerous childhood situation. A mystical connection draws her to a mysterious island, but it has claimed the lives of many of her peers. I was eager to learn why the island affects Sophia and see the story to its conclusion from the moment the game began.

Sophia is a secondary character in 2022’s A Plague Tale: Requiem, and though I didn’t meet her there, I quickly understood why developer Asobo Studio decided to give her her own game. She is strong, smart, and like many of the pirates in her community, I questioned why she wasn’t already in charge. Sophia’s relationships are established well and quickly, and it makes the stakes of her dangerous adventure appropriately threatening. The performances in the game are also excellent, effective in both the dramatic moments and the quiet conversational ones.

 

Gameplay alternates between light platforming, stealth, puzzle-solving, and sword combat. No single mechanic stands out as particularly unique or novel, but they are all well-executed genre staples. Combat is a highlight in its simplicity, with no flashy combos, but a very smart health system. Sophia can take three hits, and when she defeats an enemy, she recovers one of those hits. It’s a small twist on the typical health system of a sword action game, but it does a great job of keeping you on your toes. Sophia isn’t a glass cannon, but I felt the perfect amount of stress behind nailing a counter in just about every combat scenario.

Stealth is where I hit the most hurdles in Resonance and sometimes got annoyed, mainly because of how it affected the overall pace rather than frequent failures. The monster you are trying to avoid in these stealth sections (which are backloaded toward the last third of the game) is genuinely scary and not a type of enemy I can recall combating in comparable games. It is perhaps the element of Resonance I will remember most, both in terms of its gameplay machinations and for how it plays into the plot when I reflect on the game in the future.

 

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy borrows from many games. There are puzzles with Tomb Raider flavors; like Nathan Drake, Sophia has never known the comfort of a stable platform; and the combat and ties to Greek mythology recall games like God of War. What’s impressive here is how well Asobo Studio executes those familiar genre staples and delivers a moving story starring a charismatic pirate on what may be the most impactful and tragic adventure of her life.

Score:
8.5

About Game Informer’s review system

Reviewed on:
PlayStation 5

Platform:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Publisher:
Focus Entertainment

Developer:
Asobo Studio

Release:
August 27, 2026

Rating:
Mature

If Resonance’s subtitle, A Plague Tale Legacy, scares you off because you don’t know the larger franchise, fear not. I am living proof that playing the previous two Plague Tale games (which follow different characters and take place after this game) is not required. But as an early compliment to protagonist Sophia’s adventure, I am now a fan and grateful to have an excuse to spend more time in this world. Resonance is not a particularly innovative game, but its well-realized characters, impressive performances, fun-if-simple combat, and rewarding environmental puzzles make for a well-paced and engaging experience that should make Sony raise an eyebrow.

Whether intentionally or coincidentally, Resonance is an impressive cross between Uncharted and God of War, even if it never quite reaches the heights of either. Sophia is a scoundrel of sorts, having grown up in a supportive pirate community after her father was forced to save her from a dangerous childhood situation. A mystical connection draws her to a mysterious island, but it has claimed the lives of many of her peers. I was eager to learn why the island affects Sophia and see the story to its conclusion from the moment the game began.

Sophia is a secondary character in 2022’s A Plague Tale: Requiem, and though I didn’t meet her there, I quickly understood why developer Asobo Studio decided to give her her own game. She is strong, smart, and like many of the pirates in her community, I questioned why she wasn’t already in charge. Sophia’s relationships are established well and quickly, and it makes the stakes of her dangerous adventure appropriately threatening. The performances in the game are also excellent, effective in both the dramatic moments and the quiet conversational ones.

 

Gameplay alternates between light platforming, stealth, puzzle-solving, and sword combat. No single mechanic stands out as particularly unique or novel, but they are all well-executed genre staples. Combat is a highlight in its simplicity, with no flashy combos, but a very smart health system. Sophia can take three hits, and when she defeats an enemy, she recovers one of those hits. It’s a small twist on the typical health system of a sword action game, but it does a great job of keeping you on your toes. Sophia isn’t a glass cannon, but I felt the perfect amount of stress behind nailing a counter in just about every combat scenario.

Stealth is where I hit the most hurdles in Resonance and sometimes got annoyed, mainly because of how it affected the overall pace rather than frequent failures. The monster you are trying to avoid in these stealth sections (which are backloaded toward the last third of the game) is genuinely scary and not a type of enemy I can recall combating in comparable games. It is perhaps the element of Resonance I will remember most, both in terms of its gameplay machinations and for how it plays into the plot when I reflect on the game in the future.

 

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy borrows from many games. There are puzzles with Tomb Raider flavors; like Nathan Drake, Sophia has never known the comfort of a stable platform; and the combat and ties to Greek mythology recall games like God of War. What’s impressive here is how well Asobo Studio executes those familiar genre staples and delivers a moving story starring a charismatic pirate on what may be the most impactful and tragic adventure of her life.

Score:
8.5

About Game Informer’s review system

Reviewed on:
PlayStation 5

Platform:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Publisher:
Focus Entertainment

Developer:
Asobo Studio

Release:
August 27, 2026

Rating:
Mature

If Resonance’s subtitle, A Plague Tale Legacy, scares you off because you don’t know the larger franchise, fear not. I am living proof that playing the previous two Plague Tale games (which follow different characters and take place after this game) is not required. But as an early compliment to protagonist Sophia’s adventure, I am now a fan and grateful to have an excuse to spend more time in this world. Resonance is not a particularly innovative game, but its well-realized characters, impressive performances, fun-if-simple combat, and rewarding environmental puzzles make for a well-paced and engaging experience that should make Sony raise an eyebrow.

Whether intentionally or coincidentally, Resonance is an impressive cross between Uncharted and God of War, even if it never quite reaches the heights of either. Sophia is a scoundrel of sorts, having grown up in a supportive pirate community after her father was forced to save her from a dangerous childhood situation. A mystical connection draws her to a mysterious island, but it has claimed the lives of many of her peers. I was eager to learn why the island affects Sophia and see the story to its conclusion from the moment the game began.

Sophia is a secondary character in 2022’s A Plague Tale: Requiem, and though I didn’t meet her there, I quickly understood why developer Asobo Studio decided to give her her own game. She is strong, smart, and like many of the pirates in her community, I questioned why she wasn’t already in charge. Sophia’s relationships are established well and quickly, and it makes the stakes of her dangerous adventure appropriately threatening. The performances in the game are also excellent, effective in both the dramatic moments and the quiet conversational ones.

 

Gameplay alternates between light platforming, stealth, puzzle-solving, and sword combat. No single mechanic stands out as particularly unique or novel, but they are all well-executed genre staples. Combat is a highlight in its simplicity, with no flashy combos, but a very smart health system. Sophia can take three hits, and when she defeats an enemy, she recovers one of those hits. It’s a small twist on the typical health system of a sword action game, but it does a great job of keeping you on your toes. Sophia isn’t a glass cannon, but I felt the perfect amount of stress behind nailing a counter in just about every combat scenario.

Stealth is where I hit the most hurdles in Resonance and sometimes got annoyed, mainly because of how it affected the overall pace rather than frequent failures. The monster you are trying to avoid in these stealth sections (which are backloaded toward the last third of the game) is genuinely scary and not a type of enemy I can recall combating in comparable games. It is perhaps the element of Resonance I will remember most, both in terms of its gameplay machinations and for how it plays into the plot when I reflect on the game in the future.

 

Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy borrows from many games. There are puzzles with Tomb Raider flavors; like Nathan Drake, Sophia has never known the comfort of a stable platform; and the combat and ties to Greek mythology recall games like God of War. What’s impressive here is how well Asobo Studio executes those familiar genre staples and delivers a moving story starring a charismatic pirate on what may be the most impactful and tragic adventure of her life.

Score:
8.5

About Game Informer’s review system

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is one of my favorite games of the year so far, and ever since I rolled credits, I’ve been eager to play the DLC. Announced prior to the game’s launch, we knew it would focus on Harley Quinn and the Joker, and today, WB Games has pulled back the curtain on the new content. The new trailer includes gameplay, new suits for the Bat-family, and a release date: September 18. Check out the video below:

Previous Lego Batman games were known for their large roster of playable characters – especially villains – but Legacy of the Dark Knight shrinks the cast to shine more of a spotlight on each of Batman’s various partners. They all have character-specific gadgets that I always enjoyed discovering, so I’ve been looking forward to these new characters to see what the developers have cooked up.

The Joker and Harley Quinn will get a new exclusive level, where they’ll “orchestrate a breakout from Arkham Asylum with a going-away party Gotham City won’t soon forget,” a press release states. The duo will also appear in Mayhem Mode, which has them rushing through Gotham to destroy landmarks, complete challenges, and fight off members of Task Force X (including Deathstroke, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, and Katana). Each run of Mayhem Mode is timed, however, and you’ll have to make it back to the Amusement Mile before the timer runs out and Batman and Robin hunt you down. The seven playable characters in the base game will also all get Joker-inspired suits, with Batman getting to wear the notorious Bat Who Laughs costume.

All of the above is included in Legacy of the Dark Knight’s deluxe edition, which you can upgrade to for $24.99 if you have the base game. On the same day, all versions of the game will receive a free update with the Absolute difficulty, which will surpass Dark Knight as the game’s hardest difficulty. I’m particularly interested in checking this out, because it was one of my main critiques of Legacy of the Dark Knight – even the hardest mode wasn’t very challenging. 

This DLC pack and the free Absolute difficulty upgrade drop on September 18, the same day the Switch 2 version of the game comes out. For more Legacy of the Dark Knight, you can read my review or check out my tips for early-game exploration.

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is one of my favorite games of the year so far, and ever since I rolled credits, I’ve been eager to play the DLC. Announced prior to the game’s launch, we knew it would focus on Harley Quinn and the Joker, and today, WB Games has pulled back the curtain on the new content. The new trailer includes gameplay, new suits for the Bat-family, and a release date: September 18. Check out the video below:

Previous Lego Batman games were known for their large roster of playable characters – especially villains – but Legacy of the Dark Knight shrinks the cast to shine more of a spotlight on each of Batman’s various partners. They all have character-specific gadgets that I always enjoyed discovering, so I’ve been looking forward to these new characters to see what the developers have cooked up.

The Joker and Harley Quinn will get a new exclusive level, where they’ll “orchestrate a breakout from Arkham Asylum with a going-away party Gotham City won’t soon forget,” a press release states. The duo will also appear in Mayhem Mode, which has them rushing through Gotham to destroy landmarks, complete challenges, and fight off members of Task Force X (including Deathstroke, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, and Katana). Each run of Mayhem Mode is timed, however, and you’ll have to make it back to the Amusement Mile before the timer runs out and Batman and Robin hunt you down. The seven playable characters in the base game will also all get Joker-inspired suits, with Batman getting to wear the notorious Bat Who Laughs costume.

All of the above is included in Legacy of the Dark Knight’s deluxe edition, which you can upgrade to for $24.99 if you have the base game. On the same day, all versions of the game will receive a free update with the Absolute difficulty, which will surpass Dark Knight as the game’s hardest difficulty. I’m particularly interested in checking this out, because it was one of my main critiques of Legacy of the Dark Knight – even the hardest mode wasn’t very challenging. 

This DLC pack and the free Absolute difficulty upgrade drop on September 18, the same day the Switch 2 version of the game comes out. For more Legacy of the Dark Knight, you can read my review or check out my tips for early-game exploration.