Gaming

Ghostrunner 2 review

Be a cybernetic parkour ninja

Published

November 7, 2023

Luigi Leonardo

In the late 2000s, parkour got an odd nod from the gaming community because of the early Assassin Creed titles and cult classic Mirror’s Edge. However, today’s games are now more focused on easier traversal than puzzle platforming. Albeit a smaller series, the Ghostrunner franchise aims to recapture that magic with the new Ghostrunner 2.

Cyberpunk but for robot ninjas

Much like the first game, Ghostrunner 2 turns the player into a cybernetic, free-running ninja in a cyberpunk world. And like any cyberpunk ninja, there’s only one thing to do: find the quickest way to cross a gap, slash some bad guys, and make it home in time for the next motherboard upgrade.

If you’ve played Cyberpunk 2077 (especially after this year’s huge update), you’ll find plenty to love in Ghostrunner 2. It’s not the deepest story for a cyberpunk world, but it has a lot of atmosphere. Further, the sequel is still approachable even if you haven’t played the first one.

In terms of gameplay, it’s simple. Parkour your way through a level. Every enemy is killable in one hit. However, on the flipside, you also die in one hit. Everything is also managed by a meter. Stamina and tools are limited by a short but slowly recovering bar. While they offer huge benefits for playing, players have to manage their usage well.

Try, try, and try again

Naturally, the direct comparison for Ghostrunner 2 is the old Mirror’s Edge series. However, the title is much more than that. It relies a lot on skill mastery. The title’s learning curve is incredibly steep from the get-go.

The first level is already tough enough to net players dozens of deaths. Mistimed a jump? You die. Missed a parry? You die. Didn’t see that faraway enemy in the background? Believe it or not, you still die.

Thankfully, Ghostrunner 2’s difficulty isn’t as unforgiving as other difficulty-oriented games. Levels and segments are relatively bite-sized. Plus, the game sprinkles a generous helping of checkpoints throughout a level. Once you die, you respawn around the same place, rather than at the beginning of the level.

Further, the game telegraphs obstacles well. Once you’re introduced to the game’s mechanics, it’s not terribly difficult to spot a runnable wall or a grapple point in the background. That said, it’s still a matter of skill. The game requires you to think about where to go even before you hit the ground.

Smooth movement lends to replayability

Despite the seemingly cruel difficulty, the joy of successfully stringing together a smooth series of moves is unparalleled. Once you get past the early hours of flailing, falling, and dying, Ghostrunner 2 is immensely satisfying.

Plus, the game comes with a straightforward system of upgrades to help with combat and traversal. These upgrades, coupled with the natural progression of player skill, make it satisfying to return to past levels and just steamroll past everything.

It also helps that the game is relatively short. Obviously, the total playtime depends on your ability, but it shouldn’t take you too long to finish the campaign.

Short but lacking in sweetness

Though the game is remarkably smooth, there are some levels that lack the same polish of the first few levels. In these levels, Ghostrunner 2 just rehashes old ideas, instead of presenting something new.

In a few other levels, the terrain inadvertently turns into an unexpected enemy. For example, if you fall off a ledge, there’s a chance that a hanging beam catches you. While that might sound like a forgiving reprieve, there is no way to get back up, and you’re left with no choice but to restart.

Speaking of gripes, the game is also punishing for those who play with low joystick sensitivity. Because the game is available on PC, low sensitivity shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you’re on console, you might want to turn your sensitivity higher than you’re used to. There are some puzzles that require you to snap behind you.

Should you take the plunge?

If you’ve played and finished Cyberpunk 2077 this year, Ghostrunner 2 is the perfect way to keep feeding that cyberpunk hunger. It’s by no means the most polished game of 2023, but the fluid movement makes this an exciting time.

Gaming

Tides of Annihilation opens first public demo at Gamescom 2026

First hands-on

Published

August 6, 2026

Leez

Tides of Annihilation will make its public playable debut at Gamescom 2026.

Developer Eclipse Glow Games announced that attendees can try an extended demo of the upcoming action-adventure game during the event in Cologne, Germany. Players can find the demo at Hall 6, Booth B-050 inside Koelnmesse.

The studio will also reveal a new trailer during Gamescom Opening Night Live on August 25, before the show floor opens.

Demo offers more exploration and combat

The Gamescom demo gives players a longer look at Tides of Annihilation. It features branching paths that lead to different exploration routes and combat encounters. Players can also explore key locations and experience several of the game’s biggest set pieces.

“Gamescom will be an incredibly important moment for our team since this will be our first global playtest and we’re excited to see how first-time players experience our game,” said Ary Chen, Game Director and Co-CEO of Eclipse Glow Games.

“The team has poured heart, soul, and maybe even a few tears into developing the game over the last few years, and it’s finally our opportunity to share it with players. We’re looking forward to seeing their reaction.”

Members of the press and content creators can also schedule private hands-on sessions with the development team during the event.

Arthurian-inspired adventure

Tides of Annihilation blends fast-paced action with a Neo-Medieval vision of modern London. The story follows Gwendolyn after an Outworld invasion leaves the city in ruins.

Driven by a mission to save her sister, she travels between a shattered London and the mythical realm of Avalon. Along the way, she uncovers the mystery behind her newfound powers. She must also decide the fate of reality itself.

Eclipse Glow Games is developing Tides of Annihilation for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.

Gaming

Street Fighter 6 adds first Filipino fighter Yasmine to its roster

Eskrima fighter joins battle

Published

August 6, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Street Fighter 6 has officially welcomed Yasmine, making history as the first Filipino martial artist to join the franchise’s playable roster. The new character is now available across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 as part of the game’s Year 4 content.

Yasmine practices Eskrima, having learned the Filipino martial art alongside her older brother under their grandfather’s guidance. She wields Karambit knives in battle and embarks on a journey to find her missing brother.

Players can access Yasmine by purchasing the Year 4 Character Pass or Year 4 Ultimate Pass. Her default outfit features traditional Eskrima-inspired combat attire, while a school uniform serves as her second costume. In combat, she specializes in fast, aggressive attacks that build toward an enhanced Bayani Mode.

Yasmine is the first of four Year 4 fighters, followed by Arjun, Tifa from the Final Fantasy VII Remake series, and Bosch. Her release also arrives alongside battle balance adjustments affecting the entire roster.

Onimusha crossover arrives this week

Capcom also announced a limited-time collaboration between Street Fighter 6 and Onimusha. Running from August 7 to August 31, 2026, the event introduces Oni EX character colors, themed Battle Hub decorations, avatar items, and additional rewards for players who log in during the event.

The update also adds new Avatar Arcade courses, additional ending scenes, a Frame Meter option for Avatar Random Match, and refreshed Master ACT rewards.

Philippine launch event set for August 9

Capcom will celebrate Yasmine’s debut with an official Philippine community launch event on Sunday, August 9, at Salud! by Primera Bar & Restaurant in Palanan, Makati. The event runs from 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM and features a double-elimination tournament, gameplay showcases, giveaways, and community activities.

Attendees can also receive limited-edition Yasmine merchandise, including event T-shirts, lanyards, and collectible keychains while supplies last. Special guests and cosplayers are also scheduled to appear. Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis and is subject to venue capacity.

Gaming

Gangstar Mirage City launches on August 20 with SEA localization

Join a faction now for a chance to win rewards

Published

August 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

Gangstar Mirage City is set for a full regional launch on August 20, with localization for the Southeast Asia region.

Published by Level Infinite, the free-to-play multiplayer, urban, open-world action game is available for download on iOS and Android.

The full regional release features an expanded open world, a new PvP Arena mode, and local languages.

In Gangstar Mirage City, players can team up for up to 4-man co-op heists, drive powerful vehicles, customize their arsenal, build an empire, and fight for control of Rooklyn City.

Players can register on gangstarmiragecity.com for in-game rewards.

In Southeast Asia, players can also register as a member of their respective local faction and get an exclusive in-game Avatar to represent their loyalty:

Philippines: Manila Brigade
Indonesia: War Kanda
Malaysia: Taiko Tedung
Thailand: SIAM APEX

Factions will be ranked based on how many players join and support them. The winning faction will enable all members to get 300 Diamonds, sent directly to their accounts.

Meanwhile, all players, including those who already began their journey in Rooklyn City with the soft launch last July, are invited to join the Global Vault Heist.

Reaching the final Registration Milestone will unlock the Full Tilt Vehicle Pack. These are the rewards up for grabs per milestone: