'Silent Hill' Goes to Japan, Xbox Handheld Details Revealed, and Kojima Impresses with 'Death Stranding 2" Trailer
Be prepared to do a deep-dive analysis of two gorgeous trailers.
‘Silent Hill f’ Trailer Showcases An Eerie Japan
Konami finally gave fans a glimpse at Silent Hill f, the otherwise mysterious title teased back in 2022. It was undeniably worth the wait. The series is leaving small-town United States behind and heading to 1960s Japan. As Shimizu Hinako, players will be thrust into a nightmarish world of grotesque visions and brutish monstrosities.
Though comparisons could easily be made with the Fatal Frame series, Silent Hill f appears to lean heavily into the series’ DNA. The focus remains on melee combat and, according to a disclaimer on the official website, the game will tackle heavy themes reflecting the culture of 1960s Japan.
Series veteran Akira Yamaoka returns to score Silent Hill f, stating in a tweet that his focus was on “capturing the uncanny ‘humidity’ and ‘scent’ of Japan itself.”
Xbox Handheld Finally Revealed
Whispers have circulated for a while that Microsoft was working on an Xbox handheld. This week, Windows Central’s Jez Corden offered more insight into Project Kennan, a handheld console being developed by a notable third party. Through his coverage, Corden revealed:
The unit is being developed by ASUS
Its operating system will be Windows-based
Project Kennan is not a first-party console
The handheld will not natively play your Xbox library
Project Kennan further emphasizes Xbox’s commitment to “Play Anywhere”
Price range may fall between $499 and $599 (barring tariffs)
There is currently no release date scheduled for Project Kennan, though more details will likely be shared at the June Xbox Showcase.
‘Death Stranding 2: On the Beach’ Trailer Shows Off More Kojima Wonkiness
Hideo Kojima once again excited fans with one of his signature 10-minute trailers. This time, he showed off more of Death Stranding 2, officially revealed as On the Beach.
As expected from a Kojima trailer, we’re left with far more questions than answers. However, the trailer, seen below, gives us a complete look at the star-studded cast, Death Stranding 2’s gorgeous world, stellar motion capture, and some of what players will be going up against.
Norman Reedus returns, joined by Lea Seydoux, George Miller, Troy Baker, Elle Fanning, Luca Marinelli, and a two-right-handed Debra Wilson. Kojima may also be sticking it to Kojima just a little, as there are clear visual references to Metal Gear Solid, including a very Snake-like character and a mech design resembling the iconic Metal Gear Rex.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is slated for a June 26th release date. While there is a collector’s edition, curb your enthusiasm: The game is still a digital download.
‘Battlefield 6’ Playtest Gameplay Leaks
Though lead producer David Sirland may not be okay with leaks, footage of Battlefield 6 gameplay is drumming up excitement. Chief among some of the changes spotted in the playtest leaks is an improved destruction mechanic.
For the sake of respecting the development team, I won’t be sharing any of the leaked footage. However, it’s worth noting that potential new mechanics, like being able to drag a downed ally and clinging to vehicles, have been well-received by the Battlefield community thus far.
‘Avowed’ Patch Brings Awaited Features
Obsidian released Patch 1.3.0 for its action RPG Avowed. To the delight of many, the patch adds several player-requested features, including a third-person FOV slider, walk and run toggle for mouse and keyboard, a static compass that always points North, and more. The patch also addresses stability issues and touches on a few quality-of-life fixes.
Along with the new patch, the development team noted that it will be releasing a roadmap to share its vision of the future for Avowed. More details on both the patch and roadmap can be found on Obsidian’s forum.
Microsoft Copilot AI Comes to Gaming
Microsoft revealed that it will be integrating its Copilot AI into the Xbox App, providing players with an intuitive assistant. The Copilot AI will be able to learn from player mistakes and advise on the best course of action or simply help get past difficult puzzles.
According to Xbox Corporate Vice President of Gaming AI, Fatima Kardar, the AI isn’t designed to be intrusive. Players will retain full control over when the AI is active, ensuring they get as much or as little assistance as they want.
More details are to come, but you can hear Kardar discuss Microsoft’s vision for Copilot AI on the Xbox Podcast.
‘God of War’ to Celebrate 20 Years with Fan Service
God of War is preparing to turn 20 on March 22, and Sony has unveiled a host of goodies. While the reveal of a new entry doesn’t seem to be on the table just yet, Sony is softening the blow with in-game content for Ragnarok, new merchandise, an art exhibition at the Gallery Nucleus in Los Angeles, a vinyl collection, and a two-volume retrospective book covering the series’ 20 years.
Check out the full list of anniversary goodies at the PlayStation Blog.
People Can Fly Working on New Game Based on Sony IP
File this one under “way too early to get excited,” but People Can Fly, the studio behind Gears of War: Judgment and Bulletstorm, is working on a new game exclusively for Sony. There is only one detail known about the project, and it should be enough to raise an eyebrow: The game, codenamed Project Delta, is based on an IP owned by Sony.
That’s a long list, of course, but forums were quick to speculate about a new entry in the Resistance, Killzone, and SOCOM franchises.
New Game Announcements & Trailers
Space Marine 3
Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive confirmed that development on Space Marine 3 is already in the works. Little has been revealed about the next entry, though players can expect “an immersive campaign, a multiplayer mode, and innovations that will redefine the standards of third-person action games.”
PowerWash Simulator 2
Indie Highlights
Starting with the April 5th newsletter, I would like to start featuring weekly indie games to watch out for. Whether you’ve just announced a new title, are about to release, or are still in the honeymoon phase after launch, I’d love to feature you as part of the weekly roundup.
Indie gaming has been an important part of the community, and the hard work and dedication of indie developers deserves recognition. If you’re interested in having your game featured, send me a message using the link below!