Gaming

Hoa is a Ghibli-inspired platformer that’s coming out soon!

You NEED to play this

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Hao’s stunning hand-painted art and breathtaking music in its announcement trailer got us gripping for its official release. Which, thankfully, won’t be long. The trailer was reminiscent of Ghibli films that have unapologetically pulled at all our heartstrings.

The puzzle platformer with incredible visuals and soundtrack is getting released soon. So, keep your eyes peeled and add this to your wishlist.

The story

The game follows Hoa. She’s a lost fairy with no memory of who she is or where from. On her journey home, she slowly discovers her origins: belonging to a tribe of fairies with the power to nurture plant and animal life.

From making new friends to breathing life into the land, Hoa discovers more about herself and her homeland. Where will her journey take her? We’ll have to explore a vast world of heart-warming mystical creatures, soothing music, and eye-catching art.

The team

The game’s loveliness doesn’t end there. The development team behind it, Skrollcat Studio, have an inspiring story in the making of all this. From two friends (founder Son Tung and Son Tra) storyboarding and creating concept art way back in 2017 while juggling full-time jobs; to an official team of five Vietnamese friends working and studying together in Singapore.

Hoa took a life of its own when they decided to fully commit to the project. And, encouragement online pushed the two founders to commit to the concept in 2019. Being a small team has allowed them to reach out and collaborate with amazing artists and partners across the world. Kyx Studio being one of them.

Pre-order it!

If you’re a huge fan of Ghibli films, this might be the perfect beautiful game to immerse yourself in. Pre-orders are available for both the PS4 and PS5 with exclusive vouchers for the digital soundtrack as well as a postcard with a personal message from Hoa herself. The game will be available on the PS4 and PS5 by July while out on the PC and the Nintendo Switch in April.

Gaming

SEGA/ATLUS, animate launch year-long collaboration featuring popular IPs

Fairs, live music events, more to be held, featuring globally-renowned SEGA group franchises

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SEGA/ATLUS and animate have officially announced a massive, year-long global partnership. This shall bring the gaming giant’s most iconic franchises to over 140 retail locations worldwide.

Marking the first cross-regional collaboration of its scale for both companies, the project is set to feature a rotating lineup of eight major IPs from the SEGA Group.

This includes titles from group companies like ATLUS and Rovio Entertainment. The featured franchises will be rolled out in phases.

The initiative kicks off in June 2026 with Sonic the Hedgehog taking center stage. Then, it will be followed by PUYOPUYO, HATSUNE MIKU: COLORFUL STAGE!, the Persona series, and the highly anticipated Metaphor: ReFantazio.

Moreover, the schedule continues through early 2027 with spotlight events for Yakuza / Like a Dragon, Angry Birds, and the classic Sakura Wars.

The project includes animate stores both in Japan and overseas (including locations in China, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and the U.S.).

Fans visiting will experience a mix of limited-time exhibitions, exclusive merchandise, hands-on gameplay sessions, and “Cafe Gratte” collaborations.

The massive partnership is part of SEGA’s “Transmedia Strategy” which aims to expand its IPs beyond the digital screen and into the daily lives of fans.

Leveraging animate’s extensive retail network definitely creates an immersive experience for fans of different franchises under SEGA.

The festivities begin June 6, 2026, with the Sonic “Only Shop” and Fair. Fans are encouraged to check local animate listings for specific event dates and regional availability.

For the full schedule, including dates, locations, and activities involved, visit this microsite.

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Gaming

The Switch 2 is getting more expensive this year

The price increases will start this month.

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Gone are the days when consoles get cheaper as time goes by. These days, especially because of the RAM crisis, gaming consoles are getting more expensive. Joining this worrying trend, the Nintendo Switch 2 is getting a price hike.

Even upon launch, the Switch 2 was already pricier than its original counterpart. Currently, without the incoming price hikes, the console retails for US$ 449.99. It’s a lot but not completely out of reach.

Last week, Nintendo announced a price hike that might push the console to less than attainable levels. Starting May 25, the Switch 2 will cost JPY 59,980 (up from JPY 49,980) in Japan. The original generation is also getting a hike: JPY 47,980 for the Switch OLED, JPY 43,980 for the base Switch, and JPY 29,980 for the Switch Lite.

Abroad, you can expect price hikes on September 1. The Switch 2 will jump to US$ 499.99, CAN 679.99, or EUR 499.99, depending on where you live. These are the only official hikes announced right now, but Nintendo has confirmed that price revisions will be implemented in other regions, too.

As you might expect, the price increases are due to the ongoing RAM crisis. Though the console is an undeniable hit, the Switch 2 can’t hide behind its popularity against the price shortage dealt by unnecessary data centers. At the very least, users worldwide have time to grab the console in its original pricing before the hikes.

SEE ALSO: Switch 2 now lets you play old games in 1080p

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Gaming

Resident Evil Requiem’s LEON MUST DIE FOREVER update out now

Free minigame added as extra mode after completing Requiem

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Capcom has officially released the action-packed “LEON MUST DIE FOREVER” DLC for Resident Evil Requiem.

The free minigame is now available on the fastest-selling entry in the franchise’s history as an update across various platforms. This includes PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Unlocked as an extra mode after completing the main story, “LEON MUST DIE FOREVER” puts players back in the shoes of legendary agent Leon S. Kennedy.

The mode emphasizes nonstop combat action, with players fighting their way through areas they’ve previously visited throughout the game.

They will then have to defeat the final boss, all with stronger enemy variants, and five difficulty ranks, in a race against the clock.

To keep the experience fresh, each run features randomized area progressions and “enhancer abilities” that Leon can unlock by filling an enhancement gauge.

Players can also hunt down the golden spider to earn more time. Plus, successful runs allow fans to unlock a variety of new costumes for Leon, including the “Wolf Mode” and “Turbo GT” outfits.

Watch the trailer for more insight:

Alongside the gameplay content, Capcom has released a series of technical updates, including bug fixes and PC support for the DualSense wireless controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

In addition, all new “LEON MUST DIE FOREVER” merch, including t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, sweatshirt, and hoodies, is now available on Amazon.

As Capcom continues to celebrate the franchise’s 30th anniversary, fans can expect even more updates for the title later this year.

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