Respec

Pokémon Unite service will end on March 23, 2027 for Nintendo Switch and mobile: https://www.respec.net/news/272-pokmon-unite-end-of-service-eos-date-time-nintendo-switch-iphone-android-mobile

While brief and perhaps not as terrifying as the experience could have been, there’s no denying that the Twin Swans team has produced an artistically splendid game with Hunter's Moon. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/271-hunters-moon-review

On this week's podcast we obviously talk a lot about EA's closure of BioWare, and touch on its legacy across multiple other game studios https://www.respec.net/podcast/267-ea-kills-bioware-mass-effect-dragon-age-gta3-turns-25-nikki-in-fortnite-wrong-respec-ramblings

As it turns 25, something about the accidentally eerie world of GTA3 is still unbeatable to Alex https://www.respec.net/feature/268-as-it-turns-25-something-about-accidentally-eerie-world-gta3-still-unbeatable-to-me

Ace Combat Zero for PC Steam can now be downloaded and played as a standalone release for those who pre-ordered Ace Combat 8. This standalone release also supports Steam Achievements: https://www.respec.net/news/270-ace-combat-zero-for-steam-can-now-be-downloaded-played-as-standalone-release

Nintendo has finally released the ARMS soundtrack on Nintendo Music featuring 45 tracks. It can be streamed on iOS, Android, and the web: https://www.respec.net/news/269-arms-soundtrack-nintendo-music-streaming-full-album

EA is shutting down BioWare. and the next Mass Effect has been canceled as a part of 400 job cuts: https://www.respec.net/news/266-ea-shutting-down-bioware-next-mass-effect-has-been-canceled

We're going to have games on PS5 for a long time yet, right? Jut say no to $1200 consoles https://www.respec.net/feature/265-playstation-6-xbox-helix-look-like-theyre-going-to-be-obscenely-expensive-but-you-likely-wont-need-one-for-years

The new Street Fighter movie is a fun, perfectly cast, total mess - and I really hope it gets a sequel: https://www.respec.net/feature/264-the-new-street-fighter-movie-fun-perfectly-cast-total-mess-i-really-hope-it-gets-sequel

We have a new feature looking at how Resident Evil 4 Remake for Nintendo Switch 2 compares with the PS5, PS4, Steam Deck, Xbox, iPhone, iPad, PS5 Pro, and ROG Ally versions: https://www.respec.net/feature/261-resident-evil-4-remake-switch-2-vs-ps5-steam-deck-pc-xbox-rog-ally-ps4-pro

This week's Respec Ramblings podcast is out wherever you get it! This week, chatter about vibecoded slop, GTA awards eligibility, Sega's Total War disaster, & Bully's 20th anniversary has Alex dreaming of a sequel: https://bit.ly/4s7efVr

10 years on from Sony’s PlayStation VR release, it’s time to say it has been a complete failure https://www.respec.net/feature/260-10-years-on-from-sonys-playstation-vr-release-its-time-to-say-it-has-been-complete-failure

We sent a The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time diehard fan to play the Switch 2 remake, so we can tell you exactly what's changed and if it's for the better https://www.respec.net/preview/259-the-legend-zelda-ocarina-time-remake-hands-on-preview-fresh-face-same-soul

Resident Evil 4 Remake on Nintendo Switch 2 shows how far we've come from Capcom's Switch 1 output. Our impressions with the new Switch 2 port ahead of our full comparison: https://www.respec.net/feature/256-resident-evil-4-remake-switch-2-review-visuals-performance-2-3-impressions

As Epic goes all in on AI game development, maybe it’ll be the kids who ultimately decide the fate of the games industry https://www.respec.net/news/258-as-epic-goes-all-in-on-ai-game-development-maybe-itll-be-kids-who-ultimately-decide-fate-games-industry

Castlevania: Belmont's Curse lives up to the series' legacy, delivering a strong new entry that lands just shy from truly incredible. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/257-castlevania-belmonts-curse-review

No Man's Sky is coming to iPhone and iPad on October 28. The iOS port includes every major content expansion to date including the Cosmos update: https://www.respec.net/news/255-no-man-sky-iphone-ipad-release-date-preorder

While the lack of an upgrade path for Nintendo Switch 1 owners is disappointing, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance for Switch 2 is an excellent handheld experience. Our port review: https://www.respec.net/review/254-shinobi-art-of-vengeance-switch-2-review-vs-switch-1-ps5-ps4-pro

"The specs of Switch 2 are more than enough to showcase the true magic of EDF5 and EDF6" - Earth Defense Force Producer Nobuyuki Okajima on the Switch 2, EDF6.2 for PS5, Onechanbara, and more: https://www.respec.net/interview/251-earth-defense-force-switch-2-interview-d3-publisher-nobuyuki-okajima

Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen expands Capcom's epic RPG with thrilling new content, though changes to the game over the last two years do mean it's not quite as brutally memorable as it once was. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/247-dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen-review

Minecraft’s Switch to Switch 2 free upgrade only being an option for digital owners is a slap in the face to cart owners https://www.respec.net/news/252-im-bit-miffed-about-minecrafts-switch-to-switch-2-upgrade-only-being-an-option-for-digital-owners

Hellraiser: Revival could have been a phoned-in first-person shooter with some famous characters, linear levels - bish, bash, bosh. Instead we have a competent RE-lite experience with ambitions that are hard to come down on. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/249-hellraiser-revival-review

If Tom had time he'd be all over this moody side-scrolling horror adventure like some fog in an evil town. Silver Pines is out today https://www.respec.net/news/250-silver-pines-brilliant-looking-survival-horror-metroidvania-with-an-amazing-demo-out-today

Once Upon A Katamari: Rolling Live Highlights DLC & the new Switch 2 port are now available alongside a free enhancement patch for the Switch version played on Switch 2: https://www.respec.net/news/248-once-upon-a-katamari-rolling-live-highlights-dlc-switch-2-free-update-patch-paid-dlc-now-available

Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen expands Capcom's epic RPG with thrilling new content, though changes to the game over the last two years do mean it's not quite as brutally memorable as it once was. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/247-dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen-review

Warhammer Survivors launches on November 10 for Steam, GOG, Switch 2, Switch, Xbox, PS5, iOS, and Android: https://www.respec.net/news/246-warhammer-survivors-release-date-price-preorder-discount-game-pass-mobile

Earth Defense Force 5 for Nintendo Switch 2 is the best version of EDF 5 with its quality of life improvements, fix to how progression works online/offline, and gyro support. Our port review: https://www.respec.net/review/245-earth-defense-force-5-for-nintendo-switch-2-review

While not the first fighting game on Switch 2, Granblue Fantasy Versus: Rising is easily the best port Nintendo's hybrid has seen so far. Our review covering both offline and online play: https://www.respec.net/review/215-granblue-fantasy-versus-rising-nintendo-switch-2-review-legendary-edition-ps5

Having never played SiN much before, SiN: Reloaded has been a joy to play. Our review of Nightdive's newest: https://www.respec.net/review/227-sin-reloaded-review-nintendo-switch-2-edition-mouse-controls

On this week's Respec Ramblings podcast, Tom tries to explain why he loves Gears: E-Day so much, plus Witcher 3 Remastered, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, and more https://www.respec.net/podcast/244-gears-war-e-day-star-wars-galactic-racer-the-witcher-3-remastered-respec-ramblings

It’s hard not to feel that a few more back to basics game modes and a fully fleshed out Podracing section would have made for an all-round more enjoyable experience. Our Star Wars: Galactic Racer review: https://www.respec.net/review/241-star-wars-galactic-racer-review

During Tokyo Game Show, we had the chance to get an early look at the upcoming Resident Evil remake trilogy ports for Switch 2; so far, they're looking promising: www.respec.net/preview/240-capcoms-new-resident-evil-remake-trilogy-ports-to-switch-2-are-shaping-up-just-right-for- spooky-season

Is Gears of War: E-Day going to be all things to all people? No, of course not. It’s a third-person barnstormer of a video game, created with big strokes rather than fine lines, and Tom loves it for that. Our campaign review: https://www.respec.net/review/239-gears-war-e-day-campaign-review

We also have a comparison feature covering how Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered scales across Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PS5 Pro, Steam Deck, and ROG Ally: https://www.respec.net/feature/236-dynasty-warriors-3-complete-edition-remastered-switch-2-vs-ps5-pro-review-steam-deck-rog-ally-pc

Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered does a good job of bringing back a classic with a fresh coat of paint and new features, but it has a few quirks holding it back. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/235-dynasty-warriors-3-complete-edition-remastered-review

Star Fox version 1.2.0 is now live bringing in new Battle Mode stages, visual adjustments during boss fights, & more. The full soundtrack is now streaming on Nintendo Music: https://www.respec.net/news/238-star-fox-switch-2-soundtrack-full-album-streaming-nintendo-music-1-2-0-battle-mode-patch-notes

Returning to the Nintendo Museum two years, what's changed (and what hasn't) truly emphasizes just how quickly the house that Mario built is changing: https://www.respec.net/feature/237-visiting-nintendo-museum-for-second-time-in-just-two-yearsshows-just-how-quickly-modern-nintendo-changing

Kite was skeptical of Gundam Rogue Orbit until he had a chance to play it himself. His hands-on preview with the PS5 version: https://www.respec.net/preview/226-gundam-rogue-orbit-hands-on-preview-ps5

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, Ace Combat 8's pre-order bonus, has been an absolute joy so far. Our impressions with AC0's new ported version on PS5 and Steam Deck: https://www.respec.net/feature/219-ace-combat-zero-ported-edition-review-ac0-ps5-pro-steam-deck-pc-xbox

We also covered Ace Combat 8 on PC handhelds. While it is one to skip on Steam Deck and ROG Ally right now, there is hope for OneXPlayer3 and MSI Claw: https://www.respec.net/feature/218-ace-combat-8-steam-deck-impressions-recommended-settings-pc-handheld-rog-ally-onexplayer-3-msi-claw-performance

We also checked out Ace Combat 8 on PS5 Pro, base PS5, and Xbox Series X. Our thoughts with the console versions so far: https://www.respec.net/feature/220-ace-combat-8-ps5-pro-vs-xbox-series-x-full-game-performance-mode

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve's renewed focus on cinematic storytelling, alongside some of the series' most in-depth dogfighting across your entire crew makes for one of the best games of 2026 so far. https://www.respec.net/review/231-ace-combat-8-wings-theve-review

I don't care how big Fortnite is. Sora with a gun is wrong https://www.respec.net/feature/224-i-dont-care-how-big-fortnite-sora-with-gun-wrong

Birdcage on Nintendo Switch is an easy recommendation if you want a shoot 'em up that looks and sounds incredible. It isn't the deepest game in the genre, but is well worth your time. Our review: https://www.respec.net/review/217-birdcage-switch-2-review-vs-ps5-xbox-pc-shmup

Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remastered reminded Kite of the PS2 original with a fresh coat of paint alongside some elements from Dynasty Warriors: Origins. His preview: https://www.respec.net/preview/214-dynasty-warriors-3-complete-edition-remastered-revives-menace-enemy-arrow-swarms

Xbox announces a new round of layoffs and a major restructuring for its studios - new Halo from purpose-built Activision team, but Ninja Theory to be closed: https://www.respec.net/news/221-xbox-announces-new-layoffs-major-restructuring-new-halo-from-activision-ninja-theory-closing