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

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3

With new gameplay, story details

Published

April 29, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Rebel Wolves and Bandai Namco Entertainment have revealed a fresh wave of details for The Blood of Dawnwalker, confirming its release on September 3, 2026.

The upcoming dark fantasy open-world action RPG is headed to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, with pre-orders now live across digital storefronts and retail. The announcement came alongside the game’s “Road to Launch” event, which packed in new gameplay footage, story reveals, and system requirements.

Story, gameplay, and a deeper look at Vale Sangora

A new story trailer introduces key characters surrounding protagonist Coen, a Dawnwalker caught between humanity and vampirism. Set in the fictional Vale Sangora in the Carpathian Mountains, the game leans heavily into choice-driven storytelling, where allies, enemies, and outcomes shift depending on player decisions.

Rebel Wolves also showcased over 10 minutes of gameplay captured from a recent PC build. The footage highlights narrative-driven exploration, where uncovering secrets and completing activities can unlock abilities or alter how events unfold. The core idea is simple: every action carries consequences, shaping both the story and the state of the world.

Developers including Piotr Kucharski, Daria Bury-Zawada, Maciej Wiśniewski, and Dorota Rutkowska also broke down key systems and design philosophies in a new dev diary.

Motion capture, editions, and system requirements revealed

A behind-the-scenes segment featured former UFC champion Jan Błachowicz, who contributed motion capture work for Bakir, one of the game’s antagonists. His involvement adds a layer of realism to combat, with a focus on weight and impact in every strike.

Rebel Wolves also detailed multiple editions of the game. Alongside the standard digital version and retail Day One Edition, players can opt for the Eclipse Edition, which includes bonuses like a world compendium, soundtrack, and comic book. A Collector’s Edition will also be available in limited quantities.

Official PC system requirements were likewise shared during the event, giving players a clearer idea of what hardware they’ll need to run the game.

A dark fantasy journey shaped by choice

Set in 14th-century Europe during a time of war and plague, The Blood of Dawnwalker follows Coen’s struggle against Brencis, a powerful vampire lord ruling over Vale Sangora. As a Dawnwalker, Coen walks a fine line between two worlds, gaining unique abilities while dealing with the cost that comes with them.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game emphasizes player agency, blending open-world exploration with branching narrative paths. Whether forming alliances or facing off against enemies, every decision feeds back into how the story unfolds.

The Blood of Dawnwalker launches September 3 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

Gaming

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth demo out now on Switch 2 and Xbox

Free demo now live

Published

April 29, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is making its way to more players, and you can jump in right now.

Square Enix has released a free playable demo for the acclaimed RPG on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox on PC. Better yet, your progress carries over to the full game when it launches on June 3, 2026.

The demo includes Chapters 1 and 2, giving players a substantial slice of the experience right from the start.

A look at the opening chapters

Chapter 1 revisits one of the most pivotal moments in the story — the Nibelheim incident. You take control of a younger Cloud alongside Sephiroth as they investigate a mysterious outbreak of monsters. It’s a story beat longtime fans will recognize, but still hits hard with its modern presentation.

Chapter 2 opens things up. Cloud and the crew step into the Grasslands, where the game starts to flex its scale. Expect a mix of combat encounters, exploration, side activities, and even the in-game card battler Queen’s Blood.

Combat blends real-time action with command-based strategy, now enhanced with Synergy Abilities. The demo also introduces “Streamlined Progression” options like unlimited HP/MP and faster ability unlocks, letting players focus more on the story if they choose.

Pre-orders and physical bonuses

Pre-orders are now open across platforms, with a 20% discount available until June 10, 2026.

Digital editions come with in-game bonuses like Summoning Materia, armor sets, and accessories. Meanwhile, early buyers of the Nintendo Switch 2 physical edition get a little extra — a collectible Magic: The Gathering–Final Fantasy Zack Fair card featuring variant art by Tetsuya Nomura, available while supplies last.

Preparing for the final chapter

Set beyond Midgar, Rebirth follows Cloud and his allies — including Tifa, Barret, Aerith, and Red XIII — as they pursue Sephiroth across a wider world. New companions like Yuffie and Cait Sith join the journey, adding more personality and dynamics to the party.

Already released on PlayStation 5 and PC, the game has racked up over 125 perfect review scores and more than 40 Game of the Year awards. With its arrival on Switch 2 and Xbox, the remake trilogy is now nearly fully playable across modern platforms.

That puts more players in position for what’s next: the third and final installment, which is currently in development.

Gaming

Level Infinite launches Gangstar Mirage City exclusively in PH

A blend of high-speed street racing, exploration, more

Published

April 28, 2026

GadgetMatch

Level Infinite has launched a brand new mobile title exclusively available in the Philippines: Gangstar Mirage City.

Players can enjoy a blend of freedom, action, and dynamic gameplay in the free-to-play multiplayer open-world mobile game.

It is set in a near-future metropolis of Rooklyn, where thrilling action, player choice, and unpredictable moments collide.

Mirage City is the latest chapter in Gameloft’s renowned Gangstar franchise, with more than 250 million registered users.

It brings an expansive open-world gameplay to mobile, powered by high-fidelity graphics and detailed environments tailored for mobile play.

At its core, Mirage City is about freedom. As such, players can alternate between story-driven content and free-form exploration. They can navigate the city, build an empire, and define a personal journey.

There’s high-speed street racing, explosive encounters, and dynamic city events. Moreover, there is deep customization across vehicles, properties, and lifestyle, plus a wide range of activities in-game.

Being a Philippines-exclusive, title, the open-world RPG supports Tagalog text as well to bring the experience closer to its audience.

For now, the game is available for download via Google Play for Android devices.