Video Game News Roundup – April 06, 2025
Welcome to our comprehensive roundup of the freshest video game news! Today’s top stories are:
- Experience a new level of adventure with the Tomb Raider board game, now allowing you to partake in thrilling actions like shooting enemies, all from the comfort of your kitchen table.
- Nintendo Switch 2 Direct: Explore the seven most astonishing revelations.
- Nintendo designs the Switch 2 for the upcoming societal downtime.
Now, let’s get deeper into these exciting updates from the gaming world today.
Experience Tomb Raider in a New Way with Upcoming Board Game
Source: PC Gamer – April 06, 2025
Despite the end of the tabletop boom, board game publishers continue to thrive. This golden age of board gaming has brought us engaging titles such as The Quacks of Quedlinburg and Darktide. While the industry might be experiencing some fluctuations, it certainly isn’t on the verge of collapse. Die-hard fans of games like Catan are more than willing to endure price increases to satisfy their cardboard cravings. Plus, the trend of crowdfunding for lavish, high-quality board games doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon. Take, for instance, the upcoming Tomb Raider: The Crypt of Chronos, slated for a Kickstarter launch next month.
In this adventurous game for solo or multiple players, you’ll step into the shoes of the legendary Lara Croft. The challenge? To explore the mystical island of Kairos in search of an artifact rumored to control time itself. One can only hope that uncovering this artifact won’t trigger a catastrophic supernatural event…
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
The 7 Biggest Surprises from the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct
Source: IGN – April 06, 2025
While new video game hardware announcements tend to follow a predictable pattern — better graphics, faster load times, new iterations of beloved franchises — Nintendo has consistently broken this mold across several generations. From the N64 analog controller, the tiny GameCube discs, the Wii’s innovative motion controls and Virtual Console, to the Wii U’s tablet screen and the Switch’s built-in portability, Nintendo has made a name for itself by delivering unexpected improvements. The trend continues with the unveiling of the Switch 2, which came with several genuine surprises. Notably, 2025 marks the year when online play finally becomes a reality.
Read the full article at IGN →
Switch 2 by Nintendo: Designed for the Societal Shutdowns of the Future
Source: Polygon – April 06, 2025
The concept of the Nintendo Switch 2 is compelling on paper, and after viewing the footage in the Switch 2 Direct, it proves to be equally provocative in practice. The design of this new gaming console draws inspiration from the unique period of the early 2020s, when many found solace in playing games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons while confined to their homes. Whether intentional or not, Nintendo has tailored the Switch 2 to cater to potential future global shutdowns. The development of the Switch 2, which started in earnest in 2019, initially focused on enhancing software performance via technological upgrades, according to Kawamoto. However, the development process soon intertwined with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing Nintendo’s teams, along with millions of others, to adapt to working from home.
Read the full article at Polygon →
Rust’s Latest Update Further Softens Softcore Mode in ‘A Bit of an Experiment’
Source: PC Gamer – April 06, 2025
Renowned for its relentless nature, Rust is a survival game where players frequently face treacherous encounters, often resulting in looting and killing, also humorously known as ‘Tuesday’. However, Facepunch’s open-world survival game does have a hint of mercy amidst its ruthless environment. In 2021, a softcore mode was introduced by Facepunch, offering a less brutal experience with features such as safe spawning zones and the opportunity to recover some lost loot upon death. This mode is the main focus of Rust’s newest update, indicating a further gentling of this hardened survival game. The softcore mode is becoming even less harsh with the latest update, and some of the changes could potentially impact the overall gameplay of Rust.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘Sweet Liberty, Automatons Invade Minecraft!’ Helldivers 2 Player Recreates Iconic Battle in Mojang’s Survival Game
Source: PC Gamer – April 05, 2025
Helldivers 2 celebrated the first anniversary of the renowned Malevelon Creek battle this week. This epic in-game confrontation saw players defending the jungle planet against a colossal automaton invasion. The fight for the Creek is still ongoing. However, one dedicated player chose a different way to honor this pivotal event. They stepped outside the game’s universe to recreate the Malevelon Creek battle in Minecraft. This inventive player is none other than Helldivers 2 YouTuber Red Monster Thing, who shared a video of his custom-built Minecraft map of Malevelon Creek earlier this week, via Reddit. The result is nothing short of impressive.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘Pacific Drive’ Unveils Its ‘Largest Ever’ Update With Endless Expeditions and Major Saving Changes
Source: PC Gamer – April 06, 2025
This week, Pacific Drive rolled out its “largest ever free content update,” revolutionizing how players experience Ironwood Studios’ vehicular survival game. But let’s get straight to the point: this update is not only about the headline-grabbing endless expeditions. Ironwood Studios has also incorporated a significant change in the game’s saving mechanism, which, interestingly enough, made me contemplate reinstalling the game.
With its anomaly-ridden West Coast woodland setting and its unexpectedly intense vehicle simulation, the game has always offered something unique. Yet, some players had initially decided to abandon the game due to its saving system. This update, however, may make them reconsider.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Dishonored and Prey Director Expresses Interest in Dishonored 3 Despite Odds
Source: PC Gamer – April 06, 2025
Among all potential sequels, Dishonored 3 is a highly desired one. Dishonored 2 is widely acclaimed as one of the greatest games ever. Regrettably, the third installment never materialized due to the second game’s sales falling short of Bethesda’s expectations. The likelihood of its production in the near future remains slim. Arkane Lyon, the developer of Dishonored 2, is presently engaged in a Blade game project, led by Deathloop’s director Dinga Bakaba. Its sister studio, Arkane Austin, closed last year after the disappointing reception of Redfall in 2023.
Nevertheless, where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Today’s Best Gaming Deals: Dan Da Dan, Sonic Prime, Super Mario RPG, and More
Source: IGN – April 05, 2025
The weekend has finally arrived, and we have gathered the top deals for your perusal! Explore the best gaming deals for April 5 below:
You can now pre-order the Blu-ray of Dan Da Dan Season 1 for just $24.49!
DAN DA DAN: Season One 0 $34.98 save 30%, now only $24.49 on Amazon. Dan Da Dan was one of the standout anime series of 2024, and having the entire Season 1 for a mere $24.49 is a bargain. The series is a comedic adventure featuring Momo Ayase and Ken Takakura, and involves a fun mix of aliens, spirits, and much more.
Super Mario RPG for the Nintendo Switch is also on sale for $19.99, saving 67% on the typical price of $59.99
Read the full article at IGN →
10 Reasons Why Switch 2 Surpasses Its Predecessor
Source: IGN – April 05, 2025
To all the Nintendo enthusiasts out there, rejoice! The highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 was unveiled on Wednesday. After years of speculation, we can finally lay our eyes on this innovative console hybrid. Contrary to the rumors, the Switch 2 does not include a miniature Reggie in every GPU. However, it is sleek, compact, and powerful, proving itself to be a worthy successor to its predecessor. We spent an hour during the Direct presentation, dissecting every word, capturing every image, and examining every video to uncover all the key details about its design and functionality. Now, we can provide you with some concrete facts about the Switch 2, and highlight the ways in which it outshines the original Switch.
Read the full article at IGN →
Art Director for Overwatch and World of Warcraft, Bill Petras, Passes Away
Source: PC Gamer – April 05, 2025
Bill Petras, a notable figure in Blizzard Entertainment with over 30 years in the gaming industry, has sadly passed away. This news was announced on LinkedIn by Harley D. Huggins II, Petras’ close friend, and former Blizzard Cinematics Director. He is survived by his family who are preparing to hold a commemoration of his life in the upcoming days.
Petras’ professional journey in the gaming industry started with GameTech in the early ’90s. His name is associated with classic titles such as Ripper, Star Crusader, and BloodNet. Petras’ very first project with Blizzard Entertainment was the original StarCraft, where he proved his artistic prowess through his contributions to storyboard, 3D, and cinematic art.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Activating the Nintendo Switch Online Free Trial in 2025
Source: IGN – April 05, 2025
Whether you are a current owner of a Nintendo Switch or intend to purchase the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, you’re likely to be aware of Nintendo Switch Online. This service is crucial for accessing multiplayer features and engaging in online play with friends in popular games. Furthermore, it’s a gateway to over forty years of classic Nintendo games, spanning from the NES, SNES, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and the soon-to-be-released GameCube libraries with the launch of Nintendo Switch 2.
If you’ve yet to experience Nintendo Switch Online, fear not. We’re here to guide you through the process of activating the free trial, elucidate the various subscription tiers, provide pricing details, and more.
Read the full IGN article here →
Assassin’s Creed Shadows: A Course Correction for Valhalla’s Missteps
Source: PC Gamer – April 05, 2025
The Assassin’s Creed series, despite its diverse historical settings that promise variety, has been grappling with a sense of uniformity. Its struggle to integrate various systems in a coherent manner has been evident, but never more so than in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. This installment, marked by a bloated open world and a wandering narrative, has highlighted the series’ challenges. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows brings a refreshing change. It serves as a comprehensive course correction that could potentially steer the series in a new direction. Despite some persisting issues, Shadows seems to have discovered a winning blend. It successfully merges the elements of the recent RPG games with the quintessential Assassin’s Creed formula, paving a promising path for the franchise.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘A Minecraft Movie’ Breaks Record as Highest Grossing Video Game Movie on First Friday in the US
Source: GameSpot – April 06, 2025
‘A Minecraft Movie’ has set a new record, raking in $57 million in the US on its first Friday. This achievement surpasses the previous record held by ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ which earned $54.8 million on its inaugural Friday. However, it’s important to note that ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ premiered on a Wednesday in 2023, which might have impacted these results. According to Deadline, ‘A Minecraft Movie’ is projected to gross $145 million during its first weekend in the US, from Friday to Sunday. This is closely followed by ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie,’ which had a combined weekend haul of $146.3 million in 2023.
Read the full article at GameSpot →
Join Wizards at a Party and Navigate a Medusa Timeloop in Indiepocalypse’s Latest Collection of Unique Games
Source: PC Gamer – April 06, 2025
For half a decade, the indie game designer known as Pizza Pranks has been curating Indiepocalypse, a monthly collection of 10 avant-garde indie games crafted by various developers. These games are consistently unconventional and are accompanied by a useful PDF magazine that includes postmortems by the creators, detailing their inspirations. The magazine is also packed with valuable links to other platforms where you can find offbeat games, such as the interactive fiction magazine, ChoiceBeat. Indiepocalypse’s latest edition, #63, as usual, is a zip file replete with unexpected content. One of the highlights is Wizard Party, an engaging point-and-click adventure where you maneuver through a house party where ideas become tangible and interactable objects once mentioned in conversation, which you can subsequently utilize to solve puzzles.
Explore the full article at PC Gamer →
Engage in the Discussion
Which piece of news piqued your interest today? Are you more eager about the release of the Tomb Raider board game or the Minecraft movie? We would love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share and discuss in the comments section below.
