Video Game News Digest – April 5, 2025
Welcome to our daily digest of the freshest video game news! Today’s highlights feature:
- The recent surge in game prices: Are we ready for Nintendo’s new $80 price tag on Mario Kart, considering we’re still reeling from the $70 game price hike?
- A curated list of the 10 Best Video Game Movies of All Time.
- Space 4X game Terra Invicta gets some new content.
Nintendo’s New $80 Price Tag on Mario Kart Raises Eyebrows
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
Back in late 2022, Activision marked a significant shift in PC gaming by spearheading the $70-for-triple-A-games era, a transition the console market had already experienced. They became the first major publisher on Steam to abandon the long-standing $60 standard with their launch of Modern Warfare 2. Now, two and a half years on, gamers are just starting to acclimate to the idea of parting with 70 hard-earned dollars for the thrill of virtual adventures. However, no sooner had we adjusted to this new standard when Nintendo threw down the gauntlet with an even higher price point. Following its Switch 2 showcase earlier this week, Nintendo announced that its launch game, Mario Kart World, will carry a hefty $80 price tag for digital purchases.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
The Top 10 Video Game Movies of All Time
Source: IGN – April 05, 2025
Creating a “best video game movies” list might seem like a straightforward task, given the limited number of qualifying films. However, we’ve upped the ante by showcasing a Top 10! The intrigue here isn’t just about “Which movies made the cut?” but rather “Are there truly 10 quality movies based on video games?” Indeed, the transition from game to film has historically been a significant hurdle for Hollywood, despite the increasingly narrative-driven nature of modern games that often resemble long-form movies. It’s easy to grasp why older arcade and platform games, with their minimal storylines, pose an adaptation challenge, but contemporary games seem ready-made for the silver screen.
Read the full article at IGN →
‘Terra Invicta’ Receives Significant Update, Adding Exofighters, Enhanced Diplomacy, and Advanced Alien Weapons
Source: PC Gamer – April 05, 2025
‘Terra Invicta’, a space 4X game developed by the creators of the ‘XCOM’s Long War’ mod, already demonstrated a complexity akin to a black hole upon its initial release on Steam’s early access in 2022. However, that didn’t deter Pavonis Interactive from infusing even more depth into its strategic masterpiece. This game, where ‘XCOM’s alien defense intertwines with the geopolitics of ‘Crusader Kings’, has just received a substantial update this week. This update introduces many new features to the already highly ambitious strategy game. “This update builds on the work done across our beta branches over the past several months,” Pavonis Interactive stated in its recent Steam update blog.
Read the full article on PC Gamer →
Upcoming ‘Abiotic Factor’ update promises new upgrade system and improved base defense
Source: PC Gamer – April 05, 2025
Only a few months have passed since the ‘Dark Energy’ update for ‘Abiotic Factor’ was released by Deep Field Games. The developer is already deep in the production of the game’s next round of content. This week, they gave players their first glimpse into the upcoming ‘Cold Fusion’ update. The upcoming update promises to be an impressive addition to the Half-Life-inspired survival game. ‘Cold Fusion’ will mainly introduce a new area to the GATE research centre – the residential sector, currently plagued by an unexplained cold snap. “The residential sector is experiencing temperatures far below optimal living conditions,” Deep Field reported in an update on Steam.
For the full article, visit PC Gamer →
The Shallow Open World of Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Stark Reminder of the Lost Nemesis System
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
Big-budget open-world action games seem to have hit a plateau, presenting a recurring issue: their worlds keep expanding with impressive technical advancements, but the activities within them remain static. Major titles like Ghost of Tsushima, Star Wars Outlaws, and Hogwarts Legacy repeatedly encounter this problem. They boast spectacular worlds that either feel crammed with irrelevant content or eerily vacant. The dilemma lies in determining what to populate these incredible digital sandboxes with. (Image credit: Ubisoft)
This issue is particularly noticeable in my playthrough of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Despite Ubisoft’s reputation for redundancy, the company seems genuinely concerned about these recurring issues.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate: The Pioneer of Dual Protagonists
Source: Polygon – April 05, 2025
Our Polygon contributor has been creating and hosting YouTube videos since 2016 and co-directed the forthcoming documentary, “The Great Game: The Making of Spycraft”. She asserts that the best Assassin’s Creed games all revolve around the theme of family. The Ezio trilogy, widely regarded as the apex of the series, is centered on the poignant loss experienced by Ezio and his profound solitude. The franchise’s most memorable song, popularly known as “the Assassin’s Creed theme,” bears the title “Ezio’s Family.” Assassin’s Creed Origins narrates the tale of bereaved parents seeking retribution following their son’s demise. Similarly, in Odyssey, the lead character, Alexios or Kassandra, hails from a shattered family; they grow up as orphans after being discarded off a mountain by their father, who prioritizes his allegiance to Sparta over the safety of his own children.
For the complete article, visit Polygon →
Preorders for Nintendo Switch 2 Delayed Due to Tariffs, But Release Date Remains June 5
Source: GameSpot – April 04, 2025
The much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 is just around the corner. The successor to one of history’s best-selling video game consoles is set to launch on June 5, as announced by Nintendo during their comprehensive hour-long livestream that unveiled the Switch 2. However, eager fans in the US will have to exercise a bit more patience before they can pre-order the console. Despite an initial preorder date of April 9, Nintendo has postponed preorders while it assesses the impact of new tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration. Once preorders eventually become available, the Switch 2 can be purchased individually or as part of a bundle with Mario Kart World.
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Discover the Cleverly Crafted RPG, Dice ‘n’ Goblins
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
Every so often, the allure of an RPG isn’t about grand quests or dramatic theatrics, but rather the simple joy of being a small character battling monsters and watching your stats climb. Dice ‘n’ Goblins, launching on Steam today, perfectly captures this sentiment. In Dice ‘n’ Goblins, you take on the role of a tiny creature navigating a vast dungeon, with the goal of aiding your fellow creatures to escape a gigantic, spider-like machine. The game’s art style is both charming and straightforward, lending it a whimsical Paper Mario-like appeal. However, the user interface has its quirks, and certain menus, like the shop, might be challenging to navigate.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Activating the Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial in 2025
Source: IGN – April 05, 2025
For owners of the Nintendo Switch, or those with plans to acquire the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, you’ll likely already be familiar with Nintendo Switch Online. This service is a must-have for those wanting to engage in multiplayer features and online gameplay with friends. Moreover, it offers access to a vast collection of classic Nintendo games spanning over four decades. This includes titles from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and the soon-to-be-released GameCube libraries, introduced with the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2. If you’ve yet to experience Nintendo Switch Online, don’t fret—we’re here to help. We’ll guide you through the steps to activate the free trial, explain the various subscription levels, provide pricing details, and much more.
Read the full article at IGN →
Monster Hunter Wilds Raises the Stakes with New High-Rank Monsters
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
Seasoned players of Monster Hunter Wilds have often said on social media that the game is simple. They reminisce about the challenges they faced in the past, claiming that newcomers to the series have it easy. However, it seems Monster Hunter Wilds is stepping up its game. Many players have found the low-rank story relatively straightforward. The high-rank phase, especially the encounter with Gore Magala, has proven to be more challenging.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Ubisoft Hastily Restores Nudity to Far Cry 4 After Unintentional Removal
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
The task of maintaining games, particularly older ones, presents a unique set of challenges. Even treasured classics may have underlying issues. The question arises: should developers fix these issues? However, fixing them could potentially lead to newer, more significant problems, triggering a maintenance cycle that results in numerous headaches. This situation becomes particularly tricky when dealing with games that might not have a vast player base anymore. This predicament seems to be the case with Far Cry 4, which recently stirred up a minor controversy. An unexpected patch, released a decade after the game’s initial launch, inadvertently censored nudity, causing a ripple in its community.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Miyazaki Assures FromSoftware Will Continue Creating Single-player-Focused Games Despite Current Multiplayer Trend
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
FromSoftware, known for its immersive single-player games, currently has two multiplayer-centric projects in the pipeline: Elden Ring Nightreign, set to release on most current platforms, and The Duskbloods, designed for Nintendo’s upcoming platform, the ‘Nintendo Switch 2’. This shift towards multiplayer games has left some fans feeling uncertain. They worry that the developer might abandon the single-player format that they’ve grown to love. But fear not, single-player enthusiasts! Hidetaka Miyazaki, FromSoftware’s president and director of The Duskbloods, has allayed these concerns in a recent interview with Nintendo. He reassured fans that the studio has no intention of solely dedicating itself to multiplayer titles in the future. The essence of traditional, Dark Souls-style gameplay will continue to be a part of FromSoftware’s ethos.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Developer Creates Game About Revenge on the Corporate World After Losing Triple-A ‘Dream Job’
Source: PC Gamer – April 04, 2025
What circumstances can transform someone into a supervillain? As several Marvel movies suggest, it may not take much. A missed meeting with Tony Stark or an overrun construction contract can quickly send you on a path of ruthless villainy. A similar narrative unfolds in the pixel art action game Vindefiant.
In Vindefiant, players assume the role of Alyx, a disgruntled ex-employee hell-bent on revenge and destruction,” the game’s Steam page states. After losing his corporate job, Alyx unleashes his latent powers, igniting a fiery trail of rage and destruction in his quest for revenge against his former employer.
Continue reading the full article at PC Gamer →
Participate in the Discussion
What news piqued your interest today? Are you more intrigued by the Switch 2 game prices or the latest from Assassin’s Creed? We encourage you to share your thoughts and perspectives in the comment section below!
