Video Game News Digest – March 18, 2025
Welcome to our daily digest of the hottest video game news! The highlights for today include:
- The Half-Life 2 RTX demo is now available, offering a stunning experience for those with a capable graphics card.
- Find yourself immobile in your favorite chill crafting RPG? You’re not alone – many are engrossed in base-building and crafting advanced tools.
- Ark 2 is indeed still in the pipeline: The upcoming Ark expansion is set to set the stage for the events of Ark 2, as confirmed by Studio Wildcard.
Without further ado, let’s delve into the fascinating details of today’s gaming world.
The Half-Life 2 RTX Demo: Now Available for Gaming Enthusiasts
Source: PC Gamer – March 18, 2025
The long-awaited Half-Life 2 RTX demo is finally here for you to explore, provided your graphics card is up to the task. The creative team at Orbifold Studios has invested years into this project, and the fruits of their labor are now beginning to show. Two levels are officially ready for play and can be accessed via the Half-Life 2 RTX steam page. Once you dive in, you can engage in the Ravenholm level, which if consistent with my experience last week, will unlock the Nova Prospekt level upon completion. If you’re eager to advance, rest assured the original HL2 commands remain functional.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Immersed in Base-Building and Crafting in the RPG, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
Entering the world of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. Being my initial foray into Gust’s Atelier series, I had a vague understanding that the games revolved around crafting and had a relaxed atmosphere. Much to my surprise, Yumia offered a refreshing twist on the Atelier series. This was an exciting prospect; I was embarking on a new gaming series, and the series itself was exploring new horizons. However, instead of being drawn into the roleplaying and adventuring aspects as I had anticipated, I found myself deeply engrossed in a different aspect of the game. I became obsessed with collecting as many items as my bag would allow, rushing back to my atelier like a squirrel to its nest, and indulging in ceaseless crafting and building until my bag was depleted.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Ark 2 Continuation Confirmed: Upcoming Ark Expansion to Prelude Ark 2, Reveals Studio Wildcard
Source: PC Gamer – March 18, 2025
ARK: Lost Colony Teaser – Watch on YouTube
It’s been some time since Ark 2, the sequel to the survival game Ark: Survival Evolved, made headlines. Announced in 2020, the silence surrounding the Vin Diesel-fueled sequel had prompted speculation about its status. However, recent updates confirm that Ark 2 is very much in progress. The news surfaced in a press release regarding the upcoming Ark expansion, Lost Colony. As stated by Studio Wildcard, Ark: Lost Colony “bridges the narratives of Ark’s Extinction and Genesis expansions, setting the stage for Ark 2.” Scheduled for a November release, Lost Colony will be the first expansion specifically designed for Ark: Survival Ascended, the Unreal Engine 5 remake of the original Ark: Survival Evolved.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Revamped Counter-Strike 1.6, Evoking Nostalgia, Soon to Hit Steam
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
An exciting announcement has been made for fans of Counter-Strike 1.6. Some of the game’s most seasoned modders are working on a ground-up remake, aptly named Counter-Strike: Legacy. This nostalgia-evoking project is set to land on Steam in early access within the year. It’s worth noting that the game is being constructed using Valve’s 2013 Source software development kit, complemented with substantial rewrites to the renderer, shaders, and various systems.
The project’s announcement was accompanied by a captivating trailer that highlights the game’s enhanced visual appeal. Nevertheless, it remains fundamentally true to its 1.6 roots. From the observed gameplay mechanics to the skill shots and environment interactions, everything seems authentic and in-keeping with the original. The trailer effectively emphasizes this blend of old and new, capturing the essence of Counter-Strike 1.6 while showcasing improvements.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Community Manager Confirms Palworld Received Significant Backlash Post-Launch
Source: PC Gamer – March 18, 2025
Palworld, often dubbed “Pokémon with guns”, sparked various responses upon its launch in January 2024. The survival game, which drew both admiration and criticism, was recognized as a “competent survival game with an absurd yet intriguing core concept” that led to its popularity on streaming platforms. Despite its resemblance to Nintendo’s famed monster-catching RPG, the game managed to carve its own niche, peaking at over two million users on Steam.
However, the game’s success was not without controversy. During a talk at GDC 2025, John Buckley, the global community manager at Pocketpair, shared that the game faced a wave of negativity post-launch. He described how Palworld became an “impressions printing machine”, leading to a trend of widespread criticism.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Experience the Magic of Dawnfolk: A Revolutionary City-Building Game
Source: Kotaku – March 18, 2025
The city-building genre, which initially took off in the early ’90s with SimCity 2000, has consistently delivered intricate and immersive experiences. Popular series such as Tropico, Frostpunk, and Anno have contributed to the success of this genre, culminating in the triumph of 2015’s Cities: Skylines. Additionally, the genre has seen more unconventional approaches, as evidenced by Surviving Mars, Before We Leave, and Dorfromantik. Yet, all these games lack one thing: a magical being with a captivating narrative. Enter Dawnfolk, a refreshing take on the genre that simplifies and streamlines the city-building experience while introducing a captivating narrative. Watch the Dawnfolk Official Announcement Trailer to get a glimpse of this enchanting indie game.
Dawnfolk presents an innovative and fresh approach to city-building games. It invites players to create miniature rural communities in small, goal-oriented tiled worlds. Players are tasked with constructing successful farms, mines, and increasingly complex buildings and establishing trade agreements or conflicts with local orcs and elves. All this is set against a backdrop of battling the forces of darkness, adding an exciting layer of challenge.
To learn more about Dawnfolk, read the full article at Kotaku →
‘A Toast to Our Fans’: 4A Games Celebrates Metro 2033’s 15th Anniversary and Teases Next Installment
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
“You’ve given us 15 years of support, passion, and love. Thank you,” Yevhen “Lin” Fedorets, the creative director of 4A Games, expressed in a heartfelt message during the video celebrating the 15th anniversary of Metro 2033. He, along with Andriy “Prof” Prokhorov, the co-founder and creative director of 4A Games, extended their warm gratitude toward the fans. “I want to raise this glass to our fans, our community. Without your support, Metro wouldn’t have become what it is today. Thank you, Spartans,” Prokhorov added.
Their appreciative words were complemented by a nostalgic look back at the Metro series’ highlights and a subtle tease of what’s next for the franchise.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘Rise of the Ronin’ Faces Continued PC Issues: Players Report Lost Saves on Steam
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
Following its troubled launch on Steam last week, ‘Rise of the Ronin’ is facing further difficulties, with players reporting loss of saved gameplay data. In response to these reports, Koei Tecmo released a statement on Monday, assuring players that they are actively investigating the issue. The statement read, “We are currently looking into and investigating reported save data issues for the ‘Rise of the Ronin’ Steam edition.” The company also suggested possible solutions, including resolving conflicts with third-party file-sharing services such as Dropbox, restoring data from backup saves, and ensuring the Steam Cloud feature is activated.
Read the full article on PC Gamer →
Former Co-Head of Treyarch and Director of Black Ops 3 to Lead New PlayStation Studio
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
Jason Blundell, the former co-head of Treyarch and producer of Call of Duty, has taken on a new role five years after his departure from the studio. He is now leading a new first-party PlayStation Studio, Dark Outlaw Games. “We at Dark Outlaw Games have been quietly honing our craft in the shadows. When we have something noteworthy to share, we will step into the spotlight,” said Blundell in an interview with Jeff Gerstmann. He emphasizes that the focus is on the game rather than the studio, stating, “The reason we’re not making a big fuss or shouting about it from the rooftops is that we want to get it right first. It’s an enormous privilege to embark on this journey with Sony as a new first-party studio.”
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Helldivers 2 Patch Introduces Significant Balance Adjustments and Gameplay Modifications; New Warbond Features a Space Cowboy Theme
Source: IGN – March 18, 2025
The latest patch for Helldivers 2 introduces substantial balance changes and bug fixes to Sony’s third-person co-op shooter. With Patch 01.002.200, several weapons and stratagems have undergone balance adjustments. Developer Arrowhead has also enhanced the game’s AI computation capabilities. This primarily affects scenarios with a high number of spawned enemies by improving their response times. However, Arrowhead notes that this improvement comes with a minor trade-off in overall game performance. The key takeaway from these gameplay modifications is that the Automatons, in particular, will pose a greater challenge due to their increased reaction speed in large groups.
For more details, read the full article on IGN →
Steam Deck Receives Enhanced Desktop Experience; SteamOS Prepares to Support Non-Steam Deck Handhelds
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
Although SteamOS 3.0 has been present since its launch with the original Steam Deck in 2022, a non-Deck handheld utilizing this Linux-based operating system has yet to be thoroughly examined. Nevertheless, the SteamOS variant of the Lenovo Legion Go S is slated for release this coming May. Furthermore, Valve appears to be laying the groundwork for broader support in its SteamOS 3.7.0 Preview: Pi Day update. The release notes for this specific update, accessible only in the Preview channel, indicate the initiation of support for non-Steam Deck handhelds. At present, the Lenovo Legion Go S is the sole device we know of that will benefit from this update, but it’s reasonable to anticipate that more will join the lineup in the ensuing years.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Review: Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2
Source: IGN – March 18, 2025
The world of office chairs can be quite intriguing. It ranges from unique designs like the Herman Miller Sayl and Anthros chair to more minimalist creations like the Humanscale Freedom. All these options aim to deliver optimal ergonomics and comfort for extended periods of sitting. However, many fall short of expectations, often with price tags equivalent to a high-end gaming PC. The Autonomous ErgoChair Ultra 2, priced at a more affordable $599, endeavors to find a balance. It combines the allure of a luxury office chair with its innovative support system.
Read the full article at IGN →
Inzoi Offers Free Preview of Its Character Creator and Build Mode Demo to Life Simulation Fans
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
Within the next two weeks, The Sims is set to face some much-anticipated competition as Inzoi prepares to launch into early access on March 28. For enthusiasts eagerly awaiting a more realistic life simulation game, there’s exciting news. Krafton is offering a sneak peek at some of their creation tools prior to the official release, accessible through certain streamers. Both the Character Studio and Build Studio will be available from March 20, providing players an early glimpse of the full game’s capabilities. It’s worth noting that the Character Studio features the Create-a-Zoi mode, which some players might have already experienced during the brief demo weekend in August.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Historically Low Prices on Silent Hill 2 Remake and Indiana Jones this Steam Spring Sale—With a Twist
Source: PC Gamer – March 17, 2025
The Steam Spring Sale is upon us, signaling a great opportunity to purchase a wide range of video games at discounted prices. However, the real bargains this year are not on Steam’s platform, but on sites like Fanatical, which are also hosting their own spring sales. Here, you can acquire a host of games for even less than their Steam counterparts. These games are also available as Steam keys, making it an enticing offer unless you’re particularly interested in boosting your seasonal badge on Steam. One prominent example is the Silent Hill 2 remake, currently available for a mere $36 (£31), a significant $12 less than its Steam price.
For more details, read the full article at PC Gamer →
Join the Discussion
Which piece of gaming news sparked your interest today? Are you more intrigued by developments in Half-Life or are you captivated by what’s happening in the Steam Sale? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
