Games

Xbox Game Pass started strong, but recently people have begun to question how long it can last. Price hikes and reports of lost income from including games in the service have led to worries about whether it still offers good value, especially to attract new players and keep existing ones. Because of this, Xbox needs to demonstrate that Game Pass is a worthwhile investment, particularly with a new console, Project Helix, on the horizon.

Crimson Desert offers a huge variety of things to do, all within a massive, open world built for exploration and freedom. Players can follow the main story and fight epic bosses, or they can venture off the path to discover hidden areas, tackle challenges, or enjoy relaxing activities like fishing and crafting. However, this abundance of options can sometimes be overwhelming – players may not know where to begin, and it’s even possible to get lost while trying to reach their destination.

Even though it’s just getting started, Witch Hat Atelier is quickly becoming a top contender for Anime of the Year thanks to its fantastic story and beautiful animation by Bug Films. Fans are loving its originality, memorable characters, and how well it’s been adapted from the source material.

Whether you’re a fan of anime or not, Doraemon is a name most people recognize. This beloved series has become a classic, largely thanks to its memorable main character. The original Doraemon manga ran in Shogakukan magazine from 1969 to 1996, meaning the main story concluded three decades ago. However, the series recently gained new life with a reprint in CoroCoro Comic magazine, which proved incredibly popular in Japan. For millions worldwide, Doraemon evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and comfort, so the conclusion of this recent reprint has been disappointing for many fans.

Let’s look at the most visually stunning open-world games, considering how they appear in 2026. This includes games from any era – even older titles can compete if they still look great or have a unique art style. When making this list, I focused on all aspects of visual presentation, not just the latest technology. While powerful graphics are important, strong artistic choices and a cohesive style can make a game beautiful even with older technology. So, here’s a look at the most beautiful open-world games ever created.

Starting April 16th, a special Twitch event will let Rust players earn exclusive items for a limited time. These items are inspired by the popular streamer, TheBurntPeanut. This guide explains how to get all of TheBurntPeanut’s free skins in Rust.

The games on this list aren’t just classics – they fundamentally shaped the strategy genre. They pioneered key features we see in today’s military simulations, like detailed planning maps, environments you can destroy, unique gadgets, and the need for teamwork with specialized roles. They truly laid the groundwork for modern tactical shooters.

The biggest surprise about the reveal of Metro 2039 is how much the game’s development has been affected by current events. 4A Games explained to Xbox Wire that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine completely changed both the studio’s situation and the game itself. According to executive producer Jon Bloch, all their plans for the next Metro installment were scrapped. Many team members have continued working despite being based in Ukraine or spread across different countries, facing challenges like power outages, displacement, and the ongoing war. Originally planned as a simple continuation of the series, the game has now become much more personal for the developers, directly shaped by their experiences and the difficult circumstances they’re working under.

Extraction shooters have become increasingly popular lately. The release of ARC Raiders showed that this type of game could appeal to a much broader audience. While games like Escape From Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown 1896 previously defined the genre, ARC Raiders’ success suggests extraction shooters might become the next major trend in gaming. Sony recently joined the scene with Bungie’s Marathon, and this could be just the beginning.

Look, as a big Battlefield fan, I have to admit the last few seasons of Battlefield 6 haven’t been great. They’ve only added a couple of maps each season, and honestly, those maps didn’t really fix the issues people were complaining about – they still felt too small or didn’t offer enough different ways to play. Plus, we’ve been asking for certain features for ages and they just haven’t arrived! Season 2’s Redacted map was a step in the right direction – everyone seems to love that one – but it wasn’t enough to bring players back. Thankfully, I’m hearing good things about what they’ve got planned for Season 3 and beyond, and I really hope it’s enough to turn things around for the game.