Video Game News Roundup – March 21, 2025
Welcome to our daily roundup of the most recent video game news! Key highlights for today are:
- Ubisoft makes a triumphant return to Steam with Assassin’s Creed Shadows, surpassing a million players in less than 24 hours and breaking Valhalla’s player record.
- Remedy’s new co-op shooter, FBC: Firebreak, introduces electrified sticky notes and spontaneous combustion, emphasizing chaos and ‘joyful discoveries.’
- The GOG version of Silent Hill 4 has received an update, reinstating content that was missing from the original console game.
Now, let’s jump into the details of today’s exciting developments in the gaming world.
Ubisoft Returns to Steam: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Surpasses a Million Players in Under 24 Hours, Breaking Valhalla’s Record
Source: PC Gamer – March 21, 2025
Nobunaga’s ambitions faced a setback as Assassin’s Creed Shadows skyrocketed past the 1,000,000 player mark in less than 24 hours. Ubisoft was quick to share their excitement on social media, stating, “It’s not even 4PM here in Canada and Assassin’s Creed Shadows has already passed 1 million players! Thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for joining this adventure in Feudal Japan. We are beyond excited to start this journey with you!” ???? pic.twitter.com/1cqwABrQfNMarch 20, 2025.
Ubisoft specifically mentioned ‘players’ rather than ‘sales’, and it’s important to note the distinction. Many of these players likely accessed the game through their Ubisoft+ subscriptions rather than purchasing it outright, so referring to them as ‘buyers’ would be inaccurate.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘Joyful Discoveries’ in Chaos: Remedy’s New Co-op Shooter FBC: Firebreak
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
For almost three decades since the launch of their second game, Max Payne, Remedy Entertainment has been creating narrative-centric single-player games. Recent releases have even expanded on this approach, intertwining the studio’s individual games into a unified story universe. This raises the question as to why the studio is now pivoting to its upcoming co-op shooter, FBC: Firebreak. With a focus on multiplayer, system-led action, and a noticeable lack of cutscenes or scripted story sequences, it’s not the anticipated sequel to Control that diehard Remedy fans may have been expecting.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
GOG’s Silent Hill 4 Version Updated to Include Previously Missing Content
Source: PC Gamer – March 21, 2025
While Silent Hill 4: The Room might not be everyone’s favorite installment, it holds an important position in the series as the last one Team Silent developed. Unfortunately, the PC version has long been marred by its lack of content present in the PlayStation 2 version. This issue, however, has been rectified. Under GOG’s Preservation Program, the Silent Hill 4 version they offer for sale now includes all the previously missing components. One unique feature of Silent Hill 4 is the alternation between the traditional third-person survival horror, involving cult investigation and nurse-bashing, and the ability to explore the protagonist’s apartment in first-person.
For more details, read the full article at PC Gamer →
‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ – A New Turn-Based RPG Born out of Director’s Passion
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
At the 2025 Game Developers Conference, I had the opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with the producer of ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33,’ François Meurisse. The COO of Sandfall Interactive shared insights on the game’s roots in JRPG history, the narrative possibilities within its mechanics, and the ways in which ‘Expedition 33’ mirrors previous JRPGs more than it initially appears. Meurisse explained that the game’s creation is linked to Sandfall founder and ‘Expedition 33’ creative director Guillaume Broche’s thirst for new turn-based RPG games, leading him to start developing this passion project in early 2019.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Can it Truly Stand as a Quality RPG?
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed series had transitioned from stealth-action games to fully-fledged RPGs quite some time ago. Initially, the intriguing mix of loot, skill trees, dialogue options, and quests gave the impression of a successful transformation. However, as Ubisoft continues to produce more RPGs, the limitations become increasingly apparent. Despite being laden with a plethora of RPG mechanisms, possibly more than any of its predecessors, Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ lack of depth highlights a fundamental issue. It’s a concern that, at this stage, I’m skeptical the series can ever surmount: Assassin’s Creed seems more like an action series masquerading as an RPG.
Continue reading the full article at PC Gamer →
Onimusha 2 Remaster is Upping the Difficulty with the Introduction of Hell Mode
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
If you identify as both an Onimusha 2: Samurai’s Destiny enthusiast and a gaming masochist who savors the challenge of a single-hit defeat, then rejoice. The Future Games Show premiered a new developer diary trailer for the remastered game, showcasing the aptly named “hell mode.” As the game director Motohide Eshiro explains in the trailer, the name is self-explanatory. The Hell mode is all about testing your Onimusha skills to the extreme, where a single hit point of damage will revert you back to the last checkpoint. Eshiro admits that even though some of Capcom’s staff members have managed to complete the game in this mode, he has yet to conquer it. He warns that this mode is “not for the faint of heart,” but nevertheless encourages all to attempt it.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Helldivers 2 CCO Johan Pilestedt Criticizes the Industry for Prioritizing Features Over Fundamentals
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
The skyrocketing popularity of Helldivers 2 last year was primarily attributed to its focused approach. In a market where many games overload players with a barrage of microtransactions, features, menus, and stats, Helldivers 2 was refreshingly straightforward. The game essentially offered players a simple proposition: “Do you enjoy shooting bugs and scrapping robots? Here’s a wide array of weapons for you to do exactly that. Immerse yourself in a game that excels at delivering this experience. Go ahead and have fun.” This is not to say that the game lacks secondary systems – it does include an unlock system and microtransactional Warbonds available for $10 each (or countless hours spent grinding currency). However, Helldivers 2 stands out as a video game that stays true to its core.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
ESA Launches Accessible Games Initiative for Enhanced Product Accessibility
Source: IGN – March 21, 2025
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has unveiled the Accessible Games Initiative during today’s Game Developers Conference. This initiative, a unique “tag” system, aims to improve accessibility by providing detailed information about video game features to consumers. The idea was born out of a collaborative effort from industry giants such as Electronic Arts, Google, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, and Ubisoft. Other notable participants like Amazon, Riot Games, Square Enix, and WB Games have also joined the initiative since its announcement. The ESA will oversee the project’s operations.
Under this initiative, participating companies will label their games with appropriate “tags” chosen from a predefined list of 24. These tags will be prominently displayed near the game’s project information on digital storefronts and product pages, making it easier for users to understand the game’s accessibility features.
Read the full article at IGN →
Day One Patch for Assassin’s Creed Shadows Reduces Potential for Chaos at Japan’s Sacred Sites
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
Ubisoft has released a day-one patch for the much-discussed stealth action game, Assassin’s Creed Shadows. This update appears to include some intriguing modifications that limit the extent of destruction players can cause at Japan’s historical worship sites. Even the game’s most unruly samurai seem to understand the importance of respecting these sacred areas. Among the crucial fixes and changes – like preventing players from getting stuck inside moveable objects – the full patch notes, provided exclusively to IGN, reveal a particular adjustment. The distinctive tables and racks featured within the game’s temples and shrines have been made indestructible.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Jullian Gollop, Creator of X-Com, Unanticipatedly Takes Charge of Sequel to Expansive Board Game Adaptation; Closed Beta Available Next Week
Source: PC Gamer – March 21, 2025
The news that the tactical dungeon-crawler game Gloomhaven was making its way to PC was a considerable relief for many gaming enthusiasts. This was primarily due to the tabletop version being a dauntingly vast (and pricey) collection of smaller boxes, each housing countless minuscule pieces that could easily be misplaced. A similar sense of relief is now being felt with the announcement that its semi-standalone sequel, Frosthaven, is also transitioning to digital format. Julian Gollop, the original X-Com creator, and the Phoenix Point studio, Snapshot Games have taken over the helm of this project. This adaptation seems to be broadly consistent with its predecessor, which is certainly not a drawback considering the high quality of Gloomhaven. Based on the debut trailer, this adaptation is not only faithful but aesthetically pleasing.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
Introducing Sugar 1: A Shape-Shifting Handheld with Two Screens and Rotatable Controllers
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
Android and Windows handhelds are experiencing a renaissance, with manufacturers continually redefining and reshaping their offerings. This development goes beyond the obvious considerations, such as gameplay quality and battery lifespan. The question now extends to unique design propositions, like a handheld that emulates a cute transforming robot. Enter Sugar 1, a shapeshifting Android gaming handheld from OneXSugar. This innovative device features two screens of different sizes and fold-out, rotating magnetic controllers. First unveiled at GDC 2025, Sugar 1’s transformative design provides various play orientations, including the option to use either one or both screens.
For more details, read the full article at PC Gamer →
Valve’s CMO Warns of Walking Away from Games Without Ownership Rights to Half-Life
Source: PC Gamer, March 21, 2025
At the 2025 Game Developer’s Conference, Monica Harrington, a founding member of Valve and the company’s first chief marketing officer, gave one of the most noteworthy speeches. Though Harrington’s career has primarily been on the business side of software development, she made a startling revelation about Valve’s early days. She discovered some unsettling details about Valve’s agreement with Sierra to distribute Half-Life. Harrington was particularly surprised to find out that Sierra had the option for two more games under the same terms, despite the fact that Half-Life had been a huge success.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
How to Get All Assassin’s Creed Shadows Twitch Drops
Source: PC Gamer – March 20, 2025
The Assassin’s Creed Shadows Twitch Drops event offers an excellent opportunity to secure exclusive in-game gear at no cost. All it requires is for you to tune in to a participating streamer as they explore the game for a few hours. This arrangement benefits everyone: Ubisoft gains significant viewer traction on Twitch, and players obtain new equipment to conquer more castles. What’s more, you don’t necessarily have to actively watch the stream. You can let it play in the background while you carry out other tasks. Be aware that these Twitch Drops are available only for a limited duration, so it’s advisable to act swiftly. Unfortunately, you can’t manipulate time to squeeze in hours of livestream viewing at the last moment.
Read the full article at PC Gamer →
System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster – Release Date and Features Unveiled
Source: IGN (March 21, 2025)
The 25th Anniversary Remaster of System Shock 2 is set to launch on June 26, 2025, as announced by Nightdive Studios. This iconic 1999 sci-fi horror action role-playing game gets a new lease on life with this modernized version, now available on PC and making its debut on consoles. The game will be released on Windows PC via Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, and the Humble Bundle Store, and will also be available on PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Series X and S, and Nintendo Switch.
Nightdive Studios has given System Shock 2 a complete makeover for modern platforms using the proprietary KEX Engine. As anticipated, this version boasts improved visuals, enhanced gameplay, better performance, and offers features like cross-play co-op multiplayer and mod support, alongside other contemporary video game features.
For more details, read the full article at IGN →
Join the Conversation
Which news caught your attention today? Are you more excited about Silent Hill or System Shock? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
