Gait Games

Zach Cregger, who has gained widespread recognition as one of the emerging directors in contemporary horror, is directing the upcoming *Resident Evil*, scheduled to debut in theaters next month. Following *Weapons* and *Barbarian*, he has built a measure of trust with a prominent horror franchise. However, there have been some worries among the *Resident Evil* fans regarding his interpretation of Capcom’s cherished series. If you’re interested in the film, we’re here to outline everything we know as of now.

## So what’s the plot of the new *Resident Evil* movie?
*Resident Evil* features *Weapons* actor Austin Abrams as Bryan, a medical courier tasked with delivering an organ to Raccoon City, famously recognized as the backdrop for the outbreak in *Resident Evil 2*. As the trailer showcases, he’s on his way to Raccoon City and having a heated phone conversation with his girlfriend when he inadvertently strikes a woman on the icy road who, despite stepping into the street, seems to have already been deceased before the collision. While Bryan looks for assistance and a phone to use, he ends up at a seemingly deserted house, where he encounters the terrors of the undead. However, we don’t currently know how much of the movie is set in that house or what other events might unfold.

## That sounds like *Resident Evil*, but where are Leon, Chris, and all my other favorites?
Unless Cregger and his team have been keeping their appearances in the film a secret, none of the familiar *Resident Evil* characters will be featured. Cregger mentioned he isn’t interested in merely retelling *Resident Evil 2*’s narrative, stating it would be “disappointing” as it has already been done.

“I aimed to convey a story that could fit within the *Resident Evil* universe but wasn’t reiterating a tale that the games have already depicted,” Cregger stated in April. “For me, I would feel there’s really no success in telling Leon’s story, as the games accomplish it so effectively. It would just end up being somewhat repetitive, and ultimately, I believe, disappointing.”

## Wait, if this occurs during the Raccoon City outbreak, why are there smartphones?
Now that we understand *Resident Evil* does not feature any characters from the video games, fans have expressed skepticism regarding the movie’s discrepancies with the original material. Bryan possesses a smartphone, while the original Raccoon City narrative in *Resident Evil 2* is set in the ‘90s, and although it snows in the film, it wasn’t snowing in Raccoon City during the game’s version of the outbreak either. This is because Cregger states that the movie is set in the present day, and he included snow since he thought it was visually appealing.

“It takes place in the snow and in 2026,” he explains. “That’s why he has an iPhone; I took creative liberties to craft a story I wanted to narrate and give the movie the aesthetic I envisioned. I am not making a precise adaptation of *Resident Evil 2*. There are variations between this film and the game, and I wish to recognize that. I don’t believe it diminishes the film in any way. I think it looks incredibly cool to have a horror film set in the snow. I haven’t seen enough of those. I love it a lot. The snow is an aesthetic choice. If the threshold for acceptance is whether I create a one-for-one adaptation, then I suppose, in that sense, I have failed. However, I believe the film is enhanced because of it.”

## Didn’t Cregger mention this was intended to be a parallel story to *Resident Evil 2*?
Yes, which is why the communication surrounding this movie has become somewhat convoluted for *Resident Evil* enthusiasts in recent months.

“Essentially, my guideline for this movie was to create a film that captured my experience of playing the game, existing within the realm of *Resident Evil*,” Cregger told IGN in April. “I feel like this movie unfolds concurrently with the events of *Resident Evil 2*. I prefer to think that what’s happening at the police station could be occurring in this universe. This is merely another person on another quest on the other side of town, dealing with his own situation.”

## So if it’s not based on a *Resident Evil* character or game, what makes it *Resident Evil*?
Cregger expresses his desire for the viewing experience to evoke the feeling of being immersed in a *Resident Evil* game as an ordinary person, rather than a Leon Kennedy-style hero capable of impressive backflips.

Look, you and I both know the amount of hours you’ve put into Stardew Valley is enough to make someone think you play it on the toilet, in the shower, and driving on your way to work. But how about something a little different, and a touch more magical and anime-esque than ole ConcernedApe’s modern classic? You’ll be wanting to look to Fields of Mistria in that case, which after an early access period of a couple of years is now out in 1.0.

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**Ubisoft Introduces Significant Update for Ghost Recon Wildlands: Last Rites**

Ubisoft has astonished fans with a major update for the open-world shooter, *Ghost Recon Wildlands*, which first debuted in 2017. This latest update, dubbed *Last Rites*, features upgraded graphics, including 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (FPS) support on current-generation consoles, in addition to a new standalone mission and a variety of new gameplay options.

This year celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ubisoft’s tactical shooter series, *Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon*. To honor this milestone, Ubisoft has also announced the creation of the next chapter in the franchise. In an effort to engage the community, the company launched a new insider program permitting fans to participate in the game’s development process. However, detailed information about the upcoming game is limited, leading Ubisoft to prioritize enhancements for *Wildlands*, which remains popular among players.

The *Wildlands: Last Rites* update introduces a brand new standalone mission that takes place following the events of the original game. In this new storyline, players venture into an area controlled by a cult called Los Penitentes. As described by Ubisoft, players must traverse perilous swamps and thick forests enveloped in gloom to track down La Llorona, the cult leader. This mission is designed to deliver a more demanding and engrossing experience characterized by a “darker, more oppressive” game atmosphere.

Alongside the new mission, the update significantly broadens player customization options. Ubisoft has included various settings allowing players to personalize their gaming experience. For example, players can choose to play through an endless downpour at night or opt to have just one AI companion while playing alone. Moreover, new realistic mechanics have been incorporated, such as penalizing players for reloading before their clip is empty and imposing stricter management of their ammunition inventory. The return of the Predator mission, featuring the legendary alien character from the sci-fi series, adds another layer of thrill for fans.

The free update also boosts the game’s performance on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, providing enhanced rendering distance, improved lighting, and supporting dynamic 4K resolution and 60FPS gameplay. Unlike some competitors, Ubisoft continues to deliver these substantial upgrades without charging players, upholding a player-centric approach to game enhancements.

Olivier Leonardi, the creative director for *Wildlands*, expressed appreciation to the community, stating, “Ghost Recon wouldn’t be where it is today without the passion, dedication, and feedback of its community over the past 25 years. With *Last Rites*, we aimed to create an experience that honors that legacy—something that feels true to longtime Ghosts, celebrates what makes this franchise unique, and reflects our gratitude for the players who have supported us throughout the journey.”

This recent update to *Ghost Recon Wildlands* showcases Ubisoft’s dedication to keeping their games current and captivating, ensuring that even older titles can receive modern upgrades. The *Last Rites* update is now live on consoles and PC, officially revitalizing interest in a cherished game while paving the way for future advancements in the *Ghost Recon* franchise.

Mistfall Hunter launched last week, and so far it seems to be doing quite well for itself! Apparently there’s a million of you now running around its very Elden Ring looking lands and extraction fantasy lands (though these don’t sound like one million sales, to be clear). With a healthy, if currently fairly critical, community under the game’s belt, developer Bellring Games have shared a roadmap for its first and second season outlining what you can expect next.

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**Japan’s Apprehensions Regarding U.S. Political Engagement with Cultural Franchises**

Recent articles have brought to light increasing worries from Japanese government representatives concerning the employment of well-known cultural franchises such as Pokémon, Nintendo, and Naruto within U.S. political discussions, especially by the Trump administration. As reported by the Mainichi Shimbun, officials from the Japanese Foreign Ministry have made several appeals asking the U.S. to avoid utilizing these treasured franchises in political communications, a perspective reiterated as recently as June.

The social media tactics of the White House have garnered notice for their efforts to reach a younger, online audience through the use of popular culture references. This has involved crafting memes that parody or feature elements from cherished Japanese intellectual properties (IP) to support varying political objectives. Observers have commented that this tactic may appear inauthentic, comparing it to a cringeworthy endeavor to relate to “fellow kids” rather than engaging in serious dialogue.

A notably unsettling example took place in September 2025 when the Department of Homeland Security released a video that included the classic Pokémon theme song paired with visuals of ICE arrests. Similarly, a video posted by the White House’s X account this past March displayed missile strikes in Iran alongside clips from Wii Sports, further amplified by the use of the Pokémon Pokopia text generator for a “Make America Great Again” post. These occurrences have spurred outrage among fans and stakeholders associated with these franchises.

In reaction to the unauthorized usage of their material, The Pokémon Company released a statement distancing themselves from any involvement and confirming that the Trump administration did not request approval to use their content. The fallout has ignited conversations within Japan about safeguarding the integrity of their cultural exports from political misuse.

As anxieties rise regarding the potential degradation of these iconic franchises, the Japanese government seems to pursue proactive measures. In the absence of substantial legal actions or interventions from major firms like Nintendo, which have the means to contest such practices, the fusion of political branding with Japanese cultural properties is expected to continue, raising ethical dilemmas concerning the convergence of entertainment and political messaging.

The concept behind Moonlighter, i.e. you are a shopkeeper except to get your wares you need to venture forth into dangerous dungeons and make it out alive, is always one that appealed to me, but has just managed to slip me by all these years. My problem now is that I have two new reasons not to ignore both it and its sequel The Endless Vault, as the follow-up now has a 1.0 release date, and the original is free for the next few days.

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**Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls – Launch Day Challenges and Solutions**

Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls officially debuts today, yet numerous players are facing an annoying problem when they try to launch the game. Reports indicate a looping error that surfaces after choosing a language in the boot menu, forcing the game to crash and sending players back to the main menu.

### Grasping the Problem

This flaw has raised significant concerns for gamers eager to jump into the action. Players have observed that following the initial language selection, they experience continuous crashes, hindering their ability to fully immerse in the game. This issue has caught the attention of Arc System Works, the developers of the game.

### Developer Acknowledgment

In light of player feedback, Arc System Works released a statement through the game’s official Discord, recognizing the issue. The company is actively looking into the matter but has provided a workaround based on input from the community. The suggested approach is simple: players should wait until the game has completely installed, reaching 100%, instead of depending on the PlayStation 5’s notification that the game is “Ready to Play.”

### Community Suggested Solution

The workaround highlighted by the community stresses the importance of patience during the installation phase. While this is not an official remedy, a number of users have reported success in overcoming the looping error by implementing this step. It’s crucial to acknowledge that outcomes may vary; not every player may find this effective, but it is worth attempting if you run into the issue.

### Upcoming Updates

Arc System Works assures players that they are dedicated to fixing the problem as swiftly as possible. They have promised to keep the community informed with any new developments or official solutions that are made available. For those experiencing troubles, they encourage continued sharing of their experiences, which helps in the investigation.

### Final Thoughts

As players prepare to dive into Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls, it is essential to stay updated on possible challenges and remedies. While technical issues may dampen the enthusiasm of a game release, collaboration within the community and responsive developers can greatly influence the situation. Hopefully, the workaround offers some relief while Arc System Works continues to strive for a permanent fix. Enjoy gaming, and see you in the lobby!

FromSoft games famously often devolve into rolling around a big baddie. Marble Souls takes that a step further. Now, the rolling is the main event, not just a side effect of you not wanting to end up pancaked on the ground. You are a Dark Soulsy bloke in a Dark Soulsy world, but trapped inside a physics-driven ball and tasked with collecting lost souls. It looks cool.

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Rockstar Games has officially revealed an exclusive unveiling for the much-anticipated next chapter in the Grand Theft Auto series, aptly named Grand Theft Auto 6. This event is set for August 27 and will be streamed solely on Netflix for a few hours before being accessible on YouTube. Given Rockstar’s historical methods of promotions and game announcements, fans have reason to feel hopeful about what this event might include.

Although the specific details of the Netflix reveal have not been revealed, Rockstar described it as an “extended look” at GTA 6. The Netflix page further emphasizes that the game signifies “the next evolution in the groundbreaking ‘Grand Theft Auto’ series.” While there is no assurance of unedited gameplay footage being presented, based on Rockstar’s past marketing approaches, it is anticipated that the reveal will showcase a gameplay trailer.

Historically, Rockstar follows a particular format when launching their major titles. This typically begins with cinematic trailers that showcase either in-game or in-engine visuals, succeeded by a gameplay trailer featuring narration to provide additional context. For example, with the launch of Red Dead Redemption, its gameplay trailer was released 154 days prior to the release, though it was later delayed. Conversely, other titles like Max Payne 3 had their gameplay trailers presented 180 days before launch. However, in more recent times, Rockstar has shown a tendency to adhere to shorter intervals. Grand Theft Auto V’s first narrated gameplay trailer was unveiled 80 days before its release, while Red Dead Redemption 2’s arrived just 78 days earlier.

Regarding timing, the forthcoming GTA 6 gameplay trailer will be revealed 70 days ahead of its launch, consistent with Rockstar’s established release strategy. Notably, the company has not delayed a significant title this close to its launch before, indicating that fans should not anticipate news of a postponement during this reveal event.

As for the length of the upcoming Netflix reveal, Rockstar’s previous gameplay trailers have typically lasted between 4 to 6 minutes, averaging around 4.5 minutes. With a larger platform like Netflix presenting this reveal, it is reasonable to expect that the trailer may last a bit longer than usual, possibly ranging between 5 to 7 minutes. However, an extensive presentation akin to a Nintendo Direct is unlikely.

While there remains a chance that the reveal could present unforeseen aspects, such as delays or new trailers, based on Rockstar’s historical trends, such scenarios appear unlikely. As excitement mounts, the gaming community will eagerly await the extended preview of Grand Theft Auto 6 when it debuts on Netflix and later on YouTube this month.

Last month, I played an extended preview of upcoming action slasher Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and came away impressed – if a bit sore in the fingers. Though the samurai action genre is a crowded one these days, with Nioh 3 doing an excellent job of claiming the current throne, Onimusha has more than a few intriguing tricks up its yukata sleeve.

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