Gaming

Little Nightmares III bends your mind in a lot of ways

And the jumpscares keep coming in

Published

October 10, 2025

Gab Orlina

Halloween could not come any sooner with all the ghouls and fears of people highlighted heavily during this month. You’ll see it come to life in some establishments, you’lill see parties thrown at the end of the year, and people will come in costumes. However, the true spirit of the celebration lies beyond just the costumes and the spooky music – the true source of all our fears.

Every fear starts from somewhere and is constantly repeated in your mind in many ways. BANDAI NAMCO saw this, and put together an entire series dedicated to navigating through one of those ways: nightmares. Since 2017, the Little Nightmares series sheds light on the horrors of the world, and how young protagonists have desperately tried to escape or navigate through them.

To further build the series, the next installment in Little Nightmares III supposedly goes down the rabbit hole further. New sets of characters, challenges, and ways to play are the name of the game now. Whether it’s just another riveting horror puzzle or something that explores a deeper plunge in the nightmare, that’s what we’re here for.

The same premise of terror in Nowhere

Much like the previous installments in the series, Little Nightmares III puts players in unique yet dastardly horrifying backdrops meant to instill fear. This time around, the whole game features an entirely different story from the first two games, with two new protagonists in Low and Alone to guide you through.

Gameplay mechanics didn’t stray away too far from the classics despite being handled by an entirely different team. The core of it still revolves around moving through open spaces, scaling through treacherous obstacles, and evading danger as much as possible. It still felt challenging on a lot of fronts, and I genuinely second-guessed a lot of my actions through each different stage.

What helps out immensely is that every stage is built for exploration given how wide every space is. Additionally, the game gives you just the right amount of playtime to just take in the whole environment as you progress through them, uncovering information and secrets about the nightmares you’re under. While there were areas that were pretty cramped, these mostly just served as pathways or transitions into the next part of the stages so you don’t miss out on much.

Continuously mind-bending

The hallmark of the Little Nightmares series is solving multiple puzzles to progress through every nightmare-inducing area, and Little Nightmares III has no shortage of it. Earlier on, getting through most of them was straightforward in terms of interactions and approach. As you progress through deeper and more dangerous obstacles, the game gives you some hints on what actions to take to find the answers for yourself. I’ll admit that some of them were headscratchers initially, but it really helps to just explore the environment with trial and error.

Stealth also plays an incredible role in getting through some of the stages, especially when faced with the larger than life dangers. As with the previous games, your main protagonists are children who could barely fight – as such, hiding is logical and crucial. The game doesn’t make it too difficult to find hiding spots, but maneuvering around the larger dangers can be nerve-wracking.

I am telling you right now that you will fail multiple times trying to get through all of these puzzles, especially when you’re doing this on your own. Luckily, there is a way for you to finally play this game with someone else if you don’t prefer to take on horror games by yourself.

Truly never alone

For the first time in the series, players can engage in the whole story progression through online co-op! This is a huge step-up directly from Little Nightmares II, in which you could actually play with someone else instead of just calling on an NPC whenever needed. Also, this was by design considering that both Low and Alone specialize in particular actions that will help you navigate through the stages better.

However, there are caveats to playing the whole game through online co-op. First is basically, you’re stuck playing in co-op mode for the whole duration of the playthrough and ONLY one friend at a time. If you want to play with a different friend, you’ll need a separate save file for it. The same applies if at any point you just wanted to deal with the game on your own.

Second is you could only play as the character you chose with no chance of swapping later on. This effectively means that if you want to try your hand on both Low and Alone, you’ll need separate save files for it with your friend. Honestly, this does feel like a ton of loops to jump through, but it would make the experience memorable in more ways than one!

Is this a match made in horror?

In essence, Little Nightmares III is the kind of puzzle-solving horror game that doesn’t stray too far from its franchise’s greatest hits. It blends together elements that made the first two games truly memorable, while expanding the world even further to maximize the mechanics better. Even with a different team working on it, BANDAI NAMCO pieced together the game quite nicely while giving it, ironically, new life.

Playing this game in co-op served more as a quality of life upgrade for the franchise coming from how the first two games played out. You can get through the game on your own, but nothing beats a good co-op horror game to test friendships the right way. The only thing though is that it’s a literal ride or die situation when you partner up with someone.

Overall, the game truly shines in its faithfulness to what made it great to play: the mind-bending puzzles and equally horrific backdrops. It’s simple, straight to the point, and best enjoyed at the wee hours of the day.

Gaming

New Civilization VII update will address everyone’s biggest issue

Soon, everyone can play as a single Civ.

Published

February 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Despite being enjoyable in its current state, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII is a work in progress. Firaxis Games is still working on improvements, especially as suggested by the franchise’s fans. Now, approaching the new game’s first anniversary, Civilization VII is getting a massive patch, called the Test of Time update, later this spring.

Playing as a single Civ

Test of Time will address the biggest problem that players had with the base game: the inability to play as a single Civ. Currently, players are forced to evolve into Age-appropriate Civs at the end of the previous Age. The system leads to odd histories, such as Maurya somehow evolving into modern-day America.

Starting with the update, players can now take a single Civ across the test of time. And it’s not a shoehorned feature, too. Civs will now have an Apex Age, meaning the Age they were historically associated with. Playing Civs outside of their Apex Age will introduce a new kit that corresponds to the other Ages.

Plus, this also introduces a new system called Syncretism. Playing a Civ outside of their Age allows players to choose a unique military unit or infrastructure from other Civs to help bolster their strategy.

The new system works in reverse too. Players can start a game in the Modern Age using an Antiquity Age Civ. Finally, if players decide to use this system, the AI will follow suit, ensuring an equal playing field.

Reworked victory conditions

Besides the playability of Civs, Civilization VII will rework Victories. Instead of a clear path to victory via Legacy Paths (which players have complained as being too rigid), the new Triumph system will introduce new optional objectives to prod players further down the line of victory.

Plus, getting extraordinary progress in one victory condition can help players earn victory even before the Modern Age. Victory can be earned as early as the Exploration Age, but Firaxis has not explained how this can happen.

Firaxis says that the new system should help the game feel more dynamic and exciting after the Antiquity Age.

Now, to celebrate the actual anniversary, players will get access to a new leader, Gilgamesh, a fan favorite from the previous game. He will be free for all players with update 1.3.2.

Gaming

CM Punk graces cover of WWE 2K26

The game will feature over 400 playable characters, the largest to date.

Published

February 3, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

Compared to the gigantic NBA 2K, WWE 2K is a relatively small series. Well, with thirty teams and a healthy roster of hall of famers, that’s no surprise. This year, however, WWE 2K26 wants to catch up, featuring the biggest roster that the franchise has ever had and a plethora of new features.

WWE 2K26 will feature over 400 playable characters, which includes current Superstars from RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. As always, Legends and Hall of Famers will be playable wrestlers.

This year, however, the roster of classics are much healthier. Specifically, there are three different editions dedicated to past wrestlers. The first, called The King of Kings Edition, centers the spotlight on Hall of Famer and Chief Content Officer, Triple H (or Paul Levesque). The Attitude Era Edition features Superstars from that era, including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and The Rock. Finally, the Monday Night Wars Edition includes Superstars from WCW such as the nWo’s Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.

Meanwhile, the Standard Edition features a Superstar that’s been no less decorated over the years. CM Punk, who will also grace the cover, will have his entire career featured in the annual 2K Showcase.

For gameplay, WWE 2K26 has four new match types: I Quit, Inferno, Three Stages of Hell, and Dumpster. Intergender matches are also available now. The environment is now more interactable with more usable weapons. Plus, the Stamina and Reversal systems have been reworked.

The Standard Edition (US$ 69.99) launches on March 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

The King of Kings Edition (US$ 99.99), the Attitude Era Edition (US$ 129.99), and the Monday Night War Edition (US$ 149.99) will all launch a week prior, on March 6.

Gaming

PlayStation, LE SSERAFIM Chaewon team for the ‘Love of Play’ campaign

Chaewon meets PlayStation

Published

February 3, 2026

Rodneil Quiteles

PlayStation is kicking off 2026 the Chaewon way.

Sony has officially teamed up with KIM CHAEWON of LE SSERAFIM for its New Year “Love of Play” campaign, blending cozy moments, playful energy, and very real gamer vibes into one stylish collaboration that spans videos, promos, and some surprisingly cute merch.

At the heart of the campaign is a four-part video series built around how we actually play: Family, Friends, Sisters, and Solo. The first episode, Family, is already live, with the remaining episodes rolling out daily from February 4 to 6. Each one leans into a different mood, but the message stays the same—PlayStation fits whether you’re gaming alone, hanging out, or sharing the screen with people you love.

Chaewon, meanwhile, is clearly having fun with it.

Chaewon’s PlayStation picks

In an interview released alongside the campaign, she shared that her very first PlayStation game was Stray on PS5—yes, the cat one—and that she instantly fell for its atmosphere and puzzles. She also tried out a full lineup of DualSense controller colors during the shoot, calling out Chroma Indigo for its elegant look, while admitting that Midnight Black still feels the most “her.”

And when asked about the most fun game she’s played so far? Astro Bot took the crown, with Chaewon praising the DualSense’s haptics and adaptive triggers for making the experience feel extra special.

Naturally, PlayStation is turning that energy into rewards. Fans across Asia can join upcoming social campaigns for a chance to win DualSense wireless controllers signed by Chaewon, with more details dropping on PlayStation Asia’s Instagram channels.

Festive New Year Sale 2026

The collaboration also ties directly into PlayStation’s Festive New Year Sale 2026, which runs from February 6 to 19 at participating retailers. Expect discounts on PS5 consoles, accessories, and a long list of games, including Astro Bot, God of War Ragnarök, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Stellar Blade, Ghost of Yotei, and more. Deals vary by market, but this is one of those sales where both hardware upgrades and backlog shopping make sense.

There’s also a lifestyle twist.

PlayStation has partnered with South Korean brand Wiggle Wiggle for a limited-edition “Love of Play” merchandise set featuring PlayStation-branded home slippers, acrylic clips, and coasters. The set is available through select PlayStation Asia social activities, including a live Instagram Stories sticker contest where fans can decorate a template, post it, and tag PlayStation Asia for a chance to win.

The Wiggle Wiggle collab is available in South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, making it a fun bonus for fans who like their gaming gear a little more colorful.

More Chaewon content is still on the way, too. PlayStation will release additional short-form videos, including “Unstoppable Play!” on February 5 and “Balance Game” on February 11, exclusively on its official Instagram and Facebook channels.

Between the videos, the sale, and the merch, this PlayStation x Kim Chaewon collaboration feels less like a one-off endorsement and more like a full-on New Year mood—and honestly, that tracks.