Gaming

Civilization VII trailer introduces a huge change for the series

Keep your leader but change your civ

Published

August 21, 2024

Luigi Leonardo

I love the Civilization franchise. Each new iteration always manages to reinvent how to play the iconic strategy game. Civilization VII is no different. During Gamescom, Firaxis Games unveiled the first gameplay trailer and showcase for the upcoming strategy game, introducing a plethora of game-defining improvements. Here’s why it’s exciting for fans of the franchise.

A mix of six and seven

Civilization V was the last time that the series took a more realistic approach to graphics. The current iteration, Civilization VII, went for a more vibrant, cartoony look. Naturally, some players prefer one over the other. I find value in both, personally.

On the other hand, Civilization VII feels like a combination of both games. The graphics certainly looks more realistic. However, the game modifies some elements to look more simplified on a gameplay perspective.

Overall, it looks more immersive, especially when considering that cities now having housing clearly depicted. At least from the trailer, your civilization does look like it’s actually growing.

Rolling down the river

For the first time, units can now traverse through a river. It’s much-requested feature that Firaxis is finally adding to the game.

While the trailer doesn’t really say how much this impacts gameplay, it’s likely a big boon for coastal raiding civilizations, especially if they’re in the game.

Rocking through the ages

Arguably, the biggest change coming to the franchise is the introduction of ages. Instead of taking your civilization scientifically through a good number of eras, there are only three different ages now: Antiquity, Exploration, and Modernity.

According to Firaxis, the limited number of ages should make each one feel more meaningful. Each one is also a blank slate, which will allow only a few elements to cross between eras. So, whatever players do in the Age of Antiquity will only marginally affect the game in the Age of Exploration.

Keep the leader, change the civ

Now, the controversial part of the huge change is how a player’s chosen civilization changes across eras. Much like the franchise’s competitor Humankind, Civilization VII will feature changing civilizations across the ages. While the leaders stay the same throughout the campaign, players can choose to pivot away from their civilizations into new ones.

For example, the trailer shows a game where the Egyptian Hatshepsut was chosen as the leader. However, when the game progresses into the Age of Exploration, the game pivoted to the Songhai, away from the Egyptian civilization.

Gwendoline Christie is the narrator

Finally, Firaxis Studios unveiled the narrator for the upcoming game. Gwendoline Christie, most famously known for her role in Game of Thrones, will voice the entire game. It’s a much appreciated change, even if Sean Bean did such a great job in the current entry.

Coming next year

Civilization VII will launch on February 11, 2025. Preorders are now open for players.

The available preorder options include the regular version, the Deluxe Edition, and the Founders Edition. Each edition comes with a varying number of perks including access to post-launch content.

Gaming

Resident Evil Requiem is out now

30 years later

Published

February 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Resident Evil Requiem is now available worldwide, marking the ninth mainline entry in Capcom’s long-running survival horror franchise.

The game launches today on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Epic Games Store, and GeForce NOW. Set 30 years after the Raccoon City Incident, the story returns players to the ruins of a city that defined the series’ legacy.

This time, players follow two protagonists: newcomer Grace Ashcroft, an FBI intelligence analyst investigating a string of mysterious deaths tied to her mother’s murder, and returning fan favorite Leon S. Kennedy. As their paths converge at the center of a new outbreak, both must confront the lingering trauma of Raccoon City and uncover the truth behind the incident that changed the world.

First-person or third-person

For the first time in the series, players can freely switch between first-person and third-person perspectives, blending immersive horror with more dynamic action. Multiple difficulty settings are available, including a Casual mode with aim assist and a Standard (Classic) mode that reintroduces the Ink Ribbon save system while playing as Grace.

Editions available

Resident Evil Requiem is available in Standard and Deluxe editions. The Deluxe edition includes five costumes, four weapon skins, two screen filters, two charms, and additional bonus content. A Premium Steelbook Edition bundles the Deluxe content with a limited-edition lenticular card, available while supplies last.

Capcom is also celebrating the launch with a slate of collaborations and collectibles. These include a themed Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the franchise’s first-ever amiibo figures of Grace and Leon arriving July 30, 2026, limited-edition watches designed with Hamilton, a one-of-a-kind Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT created as Leon’s in-game vehicle, and 1/6 scale collectible figures launching this fall.

Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy

To mark the series’ 30th anniversary, the Resident Evil Symphony of Legacy orchestral concert series will tour Japan, North America, and Europe later this year. Meanwhile, Resident Evil 7 biohazard Gold Edition and Resident Evil Village Gold Edition also arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 today, alongside a Generation Pack bundle exclusive to the platform.

With a return to Raccoon City and a new chapter in survival horror underway, Resident Evil Requiem ushers in what Capcom calls a new era for the iconic franchise.

Gaming

Tales of Berseria Remastered is out now on consoles and PC

A tale of emotion returns

Published

February 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Bandai Namco Entertainment has announced that Tales of Berseria Remastered is out now. It’s available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

The remaster brings back the 2016 action RPG with visual and quality-of-life upgrades tailored for current-generation platforms. A new launch trailer accompanies the release. It offers a fresh look at Velvet’s journey, her party members, and her fateful clash with Altorius.

In celebration of the launch, fans in Southeast Asia can join an exclusive giveaway for a chance to win signed memorabilia from their favorite cast member. Details are available via Bandai Namco Entertainment Asia’s official Facebook and Instagram pages. A special video featuring the voice cast has also been released as part of the festivities.

A revenge story returns

Originally released in 2016, Tales of Berseria stood out as the first entry in the long-running franchise to feature a solo female protagonist. Players step into the role of Velvet. Her once gentle nature gives way to a burning desire for revenge after the death of her younger brother.

The remastered edition preserves the emotional weight of that story while refining the experience for modern hardware. Players can now toggle enemy encounters in fields and dungeons and view clearer destination icons for smoother navigation. The familiar Grade Shop is also unlocked from the start, allowing for a more flexible playthrough.

More than 70 pieces of DLC from the original release are included, ranging from character outfits inspired by previous Tales titles to helpful equipment for early adventures.

Game editions and bonuses

Tales of Berseria Remastered is available in both physical and digital formats. The Digital Deluxe Edition includes the base game, a Battle BGM pack, a digital artbook and soundtrack, and a Super Growth Support Herb Set.

Early purchasers and pre-order customers receive the Super Adventuring Assistance Set, which includes Apple Gel x10, Grape Gel x10, Life Bottle x10, and Panacea Bottle x10.

Physical copies also feature a reversible inlay with two different cover designs.

Gaming

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves will launch in 2027

The region is based on Southeast Asia.

Published

February 27, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

The tenth generation of Pokémon is here! Kicking off the franchise’s celebration for thirty successful years, The Pokémon Company announced the next mainline games: Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves.

The announcement trailer started with a nostalgic reminiscing of a Pikachu across all the different generations over the years. A sudden knock on the door breaks the protagonist’s reminiscing. At the door are two Pikachu dressed in vacation clothes, standing outside a beach house on stilts.

Pokémon Winds and Pokémon Waves isn’t just another trip to another roaring urban-to-rural region. Rather, the generation’s yet-unnamed region wants you to take a vacation in a place inspired by Southeast Asia.

Because of its tropical locale, a lot of the Pokémon featured are more nature- and animal-based. You won’t see a lot of the newer creatures inspired by objects here.

The region will also have a variety of biomes including a forest, a beach, and even an underground volcanic section. And, making a comeback for the first time in years, there will seemingly be an underwater biome filled with aquatic Pokémon.

Highlighting the new generation are three new starter Pokémon: Browt, the Grass-type bird Pokémon; Pombon, the Fire-type dog Pokémon; and Gecqua, the Water-type gecko Pokémon.