JET OFF ON A ‘STARSAND ISLAND’ ADVENTURE, YOUR WAY!

Chinese developer, Seed Lab, is today exploring the great outdoors of its upcoming life sim, Starsand Island, and has hinted at some of the game’s adventures and scenic journeys to be had when it launches on PC and consoles in late 2025.

Players will be able to skate, ride, drive, and fly a range of vehicles, including skateboards, rollerblades, cars, scooters with (and without) sidecars, and even a paraglider, across the island’s lush pastures, green- and amber-hued woodlands, glistening sandy beaches, and the surrounding azure seas. Amphibious craft will also be available, enabling seamless land and water traversal, further expanding players’ horizons.

Exploring the island won’t have to be done solo: a number of vehicles have passenger seats, allowing NPC pals and pets – and even real-life friends via the Starsand Island’s multiplayer gameplay – to go along for the ride, while the game’s photo mode will allow players to capture memories and moments from every part of their adventure.

Showcasing the game at this year’s BitSummit expo in Japan, Seed Lab is also unveiling more details on both the character and vehicle customization available in Starsand Island. The game’s vehicle modification system lets players fully customize their rides; for example, cars can be painted with new colors, and detailed with a range of decals, wheel rims, and interiors.

Starsand Island also features extensive customization for the player’s character, including the ability to finely tune them with a range of facial features, skin tones, makeup, and hairstyles, while choosing from a vast wardrobe of outfits and accessories to complete a fresh, edgy vibe ready for island life. Further customisable options will be expanded post-launch, along with additional social and collaborative gameplay, while more information on Starsand Island’s multiplayer functionality will be released in the coming months.

Co-op Space Roguelite “Void Crew” Comes to PS5, XSX Sept. 4

After a successful launch on PC, Focus Entertainment and Hutlihut Games are thrilled to announce that Void Crew—the chaotic co-op space adventure where you explore, fight and scavenge loot across the galaxy with your crewmates—is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on Sept. 4, 2025. Console porting has been handled by Piktiv AB, ensuring a smooth and optimized experience wherever you play!

With more than 5,600 reviews and an 87% “Very Positive” rating on Steam, Void Crew continues to build momentum with its most recent 1.1 update. This version expands the chaos to support up to six players, introduces new ship modules, adds a “Survivor” game mode and ramps up the challenge with even more intense space battles.

Console players will also be able to enjoy full six-player crossplay encompassing PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. So get ready to rally your crew, command your vessel, and journey into deep space on thrilling missions. Just watch out for asteroid storms, solar flares, hostile aliens, desperate human scavengers, your buddies’ screw-ups, and the rest of the galaxy!

Void Crew is available now on Steam and will release for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on September 4 in its 1.1 version.

Silence of the Siren becomes Heroes of Science and Fiction! Also, Map Editor and Random Maps!

As many of you may know, I have been a long-time supporter and player of Silence of the Siren (PC), and Oxymoron Games has shared some news with me that we don’t often hear. They have quite literally changed the name. Due to confusion with other titles out there, Silence of the Siren is now Heroes of Science and Fiction. I have added some other news about the game below as well. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

What’s new?

  • The Map Editor we used to create all the maps in the game (there’s an official Steam Guide)!
  • BETA version of the Random Map Generator
  • A powerful Event/Scripting Editor battle-tested by creating different campaigns (there’s also a Steam Guide for this part of the editor)
  • A simple Steam Workshop integration so you can share your maps directly from the Editor
  • A new planet with a 6-phase day-night cycle, new maps. This includes the map from the Next Fest Demo 2024 and an even older demo map uploaded as an example to the Workshop!
  • 4 new units
  • Random commander selection for scenarios and skirmishes
  • Statistics for the victory screen with the army strength timeline
  • New commander list UI

Cattle Country Rides Into Town! Physical Edition OUT NOW on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch!

I know some of you guys still love physical copies of games ( I do as well), and as someone who enjoyed Cattle Country ( you can see my review Cattle Country PS5 Review ), I figured I would share the news that you can get it now on PS5 and Switch. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

About Cattle Country

Ranchin’ and Handcraftin’ – Work the land, raise cattle, and build your dream homestead from sunup to sundown.

Swappin’ Stories – Make friends, share tales, and earn your place in the heart of the community.

Beware of Bandits – Stay sharp, as rustlers and rogues aren’t far behind.

Rodeos to Romance – Meet and woo one of 18 romanceable locals.

Buried Treasure – Brave the mines and unearth secrets from the old frontier.

Trackin’ Game – Hunt, explore, or simply soak in the wild beauty of the open range.

The physical edition is OUT NOW. Go on, cowboy, make Cattle Country part of your cozy collection!  

Endzone 2 Launches July 24

After 2 years, the long wait is finally over. Endzone 2 has an official release date of July 24th. Enjoy the trailer and some of the details below.

Key Features:

  • Multiple Settlements Across a Shattered World – Discover and develop isolated zones, each with unique resources and threats.
  • Dynamic Disasters – Face radiation storms, toxic rains, droughts, and other unpredictable environmental threats.
  • Trade & Expeditions with Vehicles – Deploy and upgrade your settlement bus, establish trade routes, and send teams on risky expeditions.
  • Revamped Settler Simulation – Smarter AI and refined pathing create thriving, responsive communities.
  • A Year of Major Updates – From electricity and education to traders, bulletin boards, and hunting systems, the game has grown massively since launch.
Survive. Rebuild. Repeat.Endzone 2 thrusts you into the role of humanity’s last hope; you’re the leader of a ragtag group of survivors clinging to life after a global ecological collapse. You won’t just build a city. You will have to reclaim the broken Earth, forging connections between isolated zones across a brutal, ever-shifting wasteland.Master large-scale, multi-zone management. Lead daring vehicular expeditions into the unknown. Guide smarter, more desperate settlers through storms, scarcity, and sabotage, all within a stunning, reimagined world rebuilt from the radioactive ground up.
Join the fight to rebuild civilization from the edge of extinction.

UPIN & IPIN UNIVERSE SET TO LAUNCH JULY 17th ON CONSOLES AND PC

Les’ Copaque Production in partnership with Streamline Studios, developed an open-world game with a 12+ hour narrative campaign aimed to resonate with a global audience while staying true to its roots. The game’s design celebrates the essence of Southeast Asian culture, making it a culturally rich, family-friendly adventure. Upin & Ipin Universe will be showcased for the first time at the Japan Expo in Paris today, as well as at a press conference on July 4th in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, officiated by the Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo.  

“Upin & Ipin Universe marks a new chapter for us — expanding beyond TV, film, and merchandise into a global, interactive experience. As we celebrate Les’ Copaque’s 20th anniversary, this launch reflects our commitment to innovation and creating meaningful moments for families everywhere,” says Haji Burhanuddin Md Radzi, Managing Director of Les’ Copaque Production.

“Upin & Ipin Universe isn’t just a game; it’s a love letter to the vibrant culture and traditions of Southeast Asia,” says Alexander Fernandez, CEO of Streamline Media Group. “Since opening our doors in Malaysia in 2010, we’ve helped the local industry grow into a thriving ecosystem. Malaysia is now a creative force in animation, game development, and interactive storytelling. Upin & Ipin Universe is proof that Malaysian-born stories resonate not just at home, but everywhere.”

With its unique blend of engaging gameplay, culturally resonant themes, and the iconic charm of Upin & Ipin, the game is poised to make a significant impact in the open-world adventure genre. Streamline Studios is committed to delivering a high-quality experience that appeals to gamers of all ages and backgrounds.
Mark your calendars for July 17th, and prepare to embark on a journey through the Upin & Ipin Universe!

Announces Ashes of Elrant, the official DLC for Acclaimed ‘Chained Echoes’ (JRPG) (PC/SW/XB/PS) is releasing August 7th

Many of you may recall my coverage of the Chained Echoes PS5 Review, where I told you it was a must-buy RPG of 2022. We are getting the long-awaited DLC Ashes of Elrant on August 7th. Enjoy the trailer below, and don’t wait to pick this one up; it’s sure to be amazing.

Final Fantasy Tactics Ivalice Chronicles

Honestly there isn’t a ton to say here. Fans have waited a long time,and listened to a lot of rumors. This time,it turns out it’s real. Enjoy the announcement trailer below,and join me in killing time until the release in September. Best wishes and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Cattle Country Saddles Up For a July 11th Physical Release

Indie publisher Silver Lining Interactive is thrilled to announce that the physical edition of Cattle Country, the cosy Wild West life-sim, is riding into town on July 11, 2025, for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch

Developed by Castle Pixel and digitally published by Playtonic FriendsCattle Country invites players to settle down on the pixel prairies as a budding pioneer. Build your ranch, raise cattle, befriend townsfolk, and soak in the slow, satisfying rhythm of frontier life, with a few surprises along the way. Whether you’re crafting, farming, or just watching the sunset after a hard day’s work, there’s no shortage of down-home charm.

The Cattle Country physical edition for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch is available to pre-order now from the Silver Lining Interactive store page hereDon’t miss your chance to grab a copy and start the coziest cowboy adventure of the summer!

About Cattle Country

Here is a taste of some of the wild adventures awaiting you as you become part of this small community of settlers, and part of a story that’s as old as these hills. Welcome to Cattle Country

Ranchin’ and Handcraftin’ – Work the land, raise cattle, and build your dream homestead from sunup to sundown under the wide-open skies.

Swappin’ Stories – Meet the townsfolk, lend a hand, and earn your place among these big-hearted neighbours.

Beware of Bandits – Not all folks are friendly in Cattle Country. Keep your guard up and protect what’s yours from bandits and cattle rustlers!

Rodeos to Romance – Forge deep bonds or fall in love with one of 18 romanceable characters. Life’s richer when shared.

Buried Treasure – Brave the mines in search of riches, rare metals, and secrets left behind by outlaws.

Trackin’ Game – Hunt, explore, or just take in the wild. Critters big and small roam the land, and are waiting to be discovered.

Don’t delay! Get ready to add Cattle Country to your cozy physical PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch collection today! Pre-order now from Silver Lining Direct

Console Wars The Card Game Hits Retail!

This is a weird one; we don’t normally cover tabletop games. Not because none of us play them, of course, I have been known to play some D&D myself. However, when I got an email about a tabletop card game about a console wars game, I knew I had to toss it out there in case anyone was interested in it. There is also a how-to-play video, and a link at the bottom where you can buy it. Best wishes, and may the gaming gods bring you glory.

Console Wars The Card Game