Bandai Namco Entertainment has released the paid Mask of Idris DLC for CODE VEIN II. The expansion is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The release also comes with Free Update Ver. 2.0, which adds new content to the action RPG.

The Mask of Idris expansion takes players into the Forsaken World. This alternate dimension was created from the converged passions of worlds that disappeared because of historical alterations.

At the center of this world is a colossal, swirling spindle. It continuously draws in emotions from different times and spaces, threatening to affect the real world.

Players will also meet Liv Voda, a new partner character who serves as a guardian of time and space. She has an alluring presence and a combative personality, and plays a major role in the new story.

Meet the Mask of Pathos

The expansion also introduces the Mask of Pathos, voiced by Nobuhiko Okamoto.

The mysterious oracle knows the truth about the Forsaken World. Despite appearing as a mask that can speak human languages, it possesses extensive knowledge of the parallel dimension.

The Mask of Pathos asks Liv and the protagonist to help bring the Forsaken World to an end.

Players will need to meet specific requirements before they can access the Mask of Idris expansion.

Meanwhile, Free Update Ver. 2.0 adds additional content to the base game.

CODE VEIN II gets a digital sale

Alongside the DLC launch, the digital version of CODE VEIN II is also discounted by up to 44% on PlayStation 5 and Steam.

The PlayStation 5 sale runs until September 23, 2026, while the Steam sale runs until September 18, 2026. Availability and final pricing may vary by platform and region.

CODE VEIN II is set in a dystopian near-future where civilization has collapsed following an event known as the Resurgence.

Humanity survives thanks to Revenants, immortal vampire-like beings. However, the emergence of the Luna Rapacis turns Revenants into mindless cannibals and pushes the world toward ruin.

As a Revenant Hunter, the protagonist must save the world alongside a young girl. Their journey takes them 100 years into the past, where they must explore dangerous areas, battle powerful enemies, and change history to prevent the world’s destruction.

Nintendo has revealed that its remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time will launch exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026.

The announcement came during Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda 40th Anniversary Direct on September 8. Series producer Eiji Aonuma also showed the first gameplay from the remake.

Originally released for the Nintendo 64 in 1998, Ocarina of Time has been rebuilt for a new generation. Nintendo says the remake features completely overhauled visuals, refreshed sound, and symphonic orchestral music.

The game also introduces several changes to its controls and presentation. Players can now jump and run using newly added button commands. Camera controls have also been updated, with the Right Stick providing more freedom of movement.

A more detailed Hyrule

Nintendo has remodeled the game’s locations with additional details and a more dynamic presentation.

Characters will now be fully voiced during expanded cutscenes, with additional dialogue throughout the adventure. The day-and-night cycle will also continue regardless of where Link is, including when he is in towns.

The remake adds a new feature called Threads of Time. Players can check their progress in the story and view their next objective at any point during the adventure. A large tapestry will gradually fill in as Link’s journey progresses.

Nintendo has also expanded how players interact with the game’s iconic ocarina. Players can hum a song Link has already learned, and the game will recognize the melody through the Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone. Link will then play the corresponding song on his ocarina.

The game will also support new playable and electric ocarinas coming later this year.

New features through ZELDA NOTES

Ocarina of Time will also receive support through ZELDA NOTES, a game-specific service available through the Nintendo Switch App on compatible smart devices.

The service will let players view a chronological record of their daily accomplishments, including statistics such as the number of enemies defeated.

Another feature, Gossip Quest, challenges players to locate areas in the game based on hint images. Completing these challenges earns points toward music scores for the virtual ocarina.

Players can also use their smart device as a virtual ocarina. They can follow a guide, have songs played automatically, or create their own music scores and share them through QR codes.

ZELDA NOTES will also include an Ocarina of Time Quiz with more than 2,000 questions. Players can take the quiz once a day or spend rupees earned in the game for additional attempts.

A physical edition with special packaging

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Nintendo says the first print run of the physical version will come with special packaging featuring textured foil cover art. The special packaging will be available while supplies last.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on November 5, 2026. Nintendo lists the game at US$59.99.

The remake is part of Nintendo’s broader celebration of The Legend of Zelda‘s 40th anniversary, which will also include anniversary hardware and accessories, concerts, new amiibo, and the upcoming live-action The Legend of Zelda movie.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I had fun with Civilization VII. Despite spanning seven generations already, the 4X game series is now going through a rough patch with the current entry, riddled as it is with lackluster reviews. Again, I had fun with it, but I can see that it’s still lacking in some respects. Next year, Civilization VII is finally plugging in some of those gaps with a free update and a paid expansion.

Coming in 2027, the upcoming “Arc of Tomorrow” will introduce something that every fan is wishing for: a fourth Age. Currently, the game has three playable Ages: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modern, spanning from ancient prehistory to the 1950s. Now, the Atomic Age will span from the 1950s to the 2050s.

As the name implies, the Atomic Age will introduce the nuclear arms race, pitting nations against each other in a race to disarm or escalate the accumulation of nuclear warheads. The update also teases a “fun twist on mutually assured destruction.” Likewise, new Civs, leaders, and units are coming. Oh, and series favorite Gandhi is coming back with the nukes.

Then, adding a bit more mystery into the future of the series, the upcoming paid expansion, Earthrise, will introduce astronomy and spacefaring as mechanics. Starting from the early Ages, players can ponder the stars and discover space-themed mechanics to help conquer the world. The Modern Age will then have the standard operations to the Moon. Finally, the Atomic Age will have players engage in interplanetary missions to get new resources and help life back on Earth.

Love the game or not, Civilization VII is proving that it is a dynamic game still pushing for perfection. There’s hope that this upcoming update will be a state of completion that everyone is happy with.