Gaming

Phantom Blade Zero looks incredible in Year of the Snake trailer

Flashy swordplay and more

Published

January 24, 2025

Rodneil Quiteles

Phantom Blade Zero | Year of the Snake trailer

After being showcased during a PlayStation State of Play, we’re now finally getting more details about Action RPG Phantom Blade Zero. In a Year of the Snake trailer, the game from Chinese publisher S-Game showcased a new boss fight, gameplay mechanics, and some snake-themed weapons.

Vs the Seven Judgments

A big chunk of the trailer focused on the main character, Soul, squaring off against the Seven Judgments who fight in a “sword formation”. Not too long after fighting in formation, you’ll notice that one of the seven differs from the rest. That one functions as the “heart” and coordinates the overall formation. When the Seven Judgments appear, they surround Soul in the positions of the Big Dipper constellation; the leader takes the key position.

Players must simultaneously handle multiple enemies while looking for opportunities to attack Decree, the heart of the formation.

The player must defeat Decree to complete this phase.

hen Decree takes damage, the other disciples will sacrifice their own health to heal him. If there are fewer than three disciples left, Decree will use his health to revive them. The collective health pool of all these enemies stays the same, meaning Soul must whittle them down one way or another.

The disciples are powered by a group AI. They coordinate attacks and launch multi-directional strikes.

Phase 2

After the first phase, three disciples ascend platforms and use red threads to manipulate a puppet, “Tyrannical Decree”, to attack Soul.

The enemies utilize a large range of motion, swinging across the arena with pendulum-like movements guided by the red threads. Their attack patterns are completely different from the previous ground battle. It requires precise timing for counterattacks. Chasing them recklessly may disrupt your rhythm and result in ineffective attacks.

Snake-Themed Weapons

White Python and Red Viper

A pair of swords of different lengths. The White Python is a long sword with wide, sweeping attacks. Meanwhile, the Red Viper is a short sword designed for precision strikes. The two swords can also be used in combination.

Gameplay:

A dual-wield weapon with one long and one short sword.
Emphasizes multi-hit combos with alternating attacks controlled by □ (short sword) and △ (long sword).
Offers fluid combos and visually impressive moves, such as launching the short sword with the long sword.
Excels in speed and quick transitions between offense and defense.

Venomous Softblade

Screenshot

A flexible sword that excels in countering and deflecting attacks. The soft blade’s flexibility allows it to wrap around joints, severing tendons and vessels.

Gameplay:

Focuses on defensive maneuvers and counterattacks.
Features unique blocking mechanics: hold L1 to block and press △ at the right moment to perform a perfect parry.
Follow through with ripostes after a successful parry to massively cut down the target’s Sha-Chi gauge and shatter their defense.

New Phantom Edges

Savage Axe

Charges for three powerful strikes, dealing heavy Sha-Chi damage to enemies.
The charging process is slow and can be interrupted. That means timing is crucial.
Three quick taps on R2 launches the same 3-combo attack without charging, but consumes more Sha-Chi.

Ink Cut

Combo-oriented artifact. Its attacks can be chained together with Soul’s primary weapon hits to expand the overall combo.
Serves as a key plot device and delivers unique effects in specific battles. (Don’t want to spoil the fun yet.)

Phantom Blade Zero will be playable on the PS5 and PC. The release date has yet to be announced.

Watch the full trailer.

Related Topics:Phantom Blade Zero S-Game

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: