Story. That’s the strongest point of Until Dawn. If there’s any reason to play this game, it’s for the masterful storytelling. Imagine watching an A-rated horror/suspense flick where you control the fate of every character. The game consists of ten chapters, a prologue, and intermissions between each chapter.
The quick prologue serves as a tutorial, introducing the characters, controls, and how decisions impact the story. It sets the tone and establishes the stakes.
Chapter by chapter
The first chapter does a great job of introducing the characters and their relationships. I could see how everyone is distinct from each other; their unique perspectives and insights guided my choices. Whenever I faced a major decision, I’d think about what this character would do, rather than what I would do, which I think was exactly what the developers intended. My first playthrough made me feel biased toward some characters, naturally affecting my decisions.
Chapters two and three build suspense with jealousy, threats, abductions, loss, and deception, one after another. Questions start piling up—who did this, why did that happen, and what’s going on? This is also where I began to form my own theories, constantly trying to piece things together.
Chapters four to six are the most gripping parts of the story. Some questions are answered through notes, evidence, and clues scattered around, though each answer often brings more questions. The pacing between different characters’ stories is exceptionally done, keeping the tension high.
The final chapters are amazing. They wrap up the story satisfyingly, answering my questions and debunking my theories. Although I was disappointed, I couldn’t save one particular character at the end, the conclusion felt rewarding.
Overall, I enjoyed the emotional highs and lows of the story. The jump scares were intense—my wife, watching beside me, would slap my arm every time one popped up. It’s like an interactive mix of Cabin in the Woods, IT, and Saw.
Visually haunting
I played the PS5 remastered version and it’s gorgeous. The breathtaking views of Blackwood Mountain left me in awe, and the attention to detail throughout the game is incredible. From falling snow particles to drenched clothing and realistic footprints in the snow, every element adds to the atmosphere.
The character redesigns are especially well done. Bloody cuts, scratches, and dirt accumulate realistically, and even their clothes become tattered, stained, and soaked over time, which is a great touch. I was particularly impressed by the finer details, like how blood interacts with characters’ hair, the misty fog that you see when the character breathes in and out the cold air, the visible veins on their hands, and even the subtle fuzz on the fabric. Each of these small details really enhances the sense of realism.
In one memorable scene, a character is taking a bath, and the water effects on their skin are surreal. When the scene transitioned to gameplay, I was surprised to see that effect persist, with the light catching droplets on their skin, making them glimmer. This level of detail is truly commendable.
Sound’s scary
The audio in this game is incredible. The voice acting is top-notch; Rami Malek’s portrayal of Josh is impressive, Hayden Panettiere performance is noteworthy, and Peter Stormare is iconic. The casting is spot-on.
The music does a great job of setting the mood and intensifying the atmosphere of each scene. It may not be memorable in terms of a traditional soundtrack, but it certainly makes your heart pound.
The sound effects—screeches, footsteps, gusting wind—all enhance the game’s polish.
Each decision carries weight
If you’ve never played an interactive novel before, you might wonder: did I really play the game, or did I just watch it while occasionally pressing buttons?
Until Dawn’s gameplay combines QTE (quick-time event) cutscenes and third-person exploration. It might sound a bit dull, but when you realize that every decision you make impacts the story, even small choices feel significant. The weight of each button press is intense when a single decision could mean life or death for a character.
Sure, the game may only ask you to press L2 or R2, but when L2 could kill your love interest and R2 could kill your childhood best friend, those buttons start to feel pretty meaningful.
This is where the game truly shines. The decisions you have to make feel important. Sometimes you have ample time to consider your choice, but other times you only have seconds. Then there are moments when the only real choice is not to choose at all.
Premonition totems
One feature I’m not entirely a fan of is the premonition totems. These collectible totems are scattered throughout the game, showing you premonitions of future events—death, fortune, and other significant outcomes. While I enjoy collectibles in games, knowing a potential death scene in a game where decisions matter feels like it influences my choices or pushes me to avoid certain outcomes. Plus, the characters don’t react to these visions, making me think the premonitions are shown only to the player.
For instance, there’s a death totem where a character is shot, and when I reached that decision, I was torn. The totem seemed to suggest I should shoot her, but I still had the choice not to. Even though I disliked the character and wanted her to die, the premonition made me feel as though her fate was already sealed.
Is this your GameMatch?
Until Dawn isn’t just a game; it’s a thrilling, interactive horror experience that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The story, graphics, and audio all come together to create an intense journey where every decision matters. If you’re a fan of horror, this game is well worth your time.
Riot Games is celebrating the return of virtual K-pop group K/DA with new music, exclusive skins, and major gameplay updates in League of Legends: Wild Rift Patch 7.3.
After a six-year hiatus, K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER, the group’s newest track and the title track of an EP featuring three additional songs. The release marks a new chapter for the virtual group, which brings its latest musical era to the mobile MOBA through the new HEATBRINGER skinline.
To celebrate the comeback, Riot Games hosted FIRE IT UP: The K/DA Comeback Party in the Philippines. The event brought fans together for a listening party featuring music from across Riot Games’ virtual acts, live Wild Rift gameplay, community activities, and exclusive photo opportunities.
Attendees also experienced live AAA ARAM matches featuring gameplay disruptions and augments inspired by Riot Games’ musical universe, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.
K/DA returns with new HEATBRINGER skins
The K/DA comeback introduces the HEATBRINGER skinline, featuring new looks for the group’s four original members: Ahri, Akali, Evelynn, and Kai’Sa.
The skins give the champions a new visual identity inspired by K/DA’s latest musical era, with fiery red and white elements that bring their stage presence to the Rift.
The collection also includes Prestige K/DA HEATBRINGER Evelynn.
The new skins are exclusive to Wild Rift and are scheduled to launch on November 4, 2026.
The comeback extends beyond the cosmetics. With FIRESTARTER and its accompanying EP now available on major music streaming platforms, K/DA’s return brings together Riot Games’ music and gaming communities.
Wild Rift Patch 7.3 overhauls marksmen and item builds
Beyond the K/DA celebration, Patch 7.3 introduces significant gameplay changes that reshape champion builds, jungle strategies, and objective control.
One of the biggest changes targets marksmen, giving critical-strike builds more room to scale. Base critical-strike damage increases from 175% to 200%, while the attack-speed cap rises from 2.5 to 3 attacks per second.
Several marksmen also receive individual adjustments, including Ezreal, Kai’Sa, Twitch, Lucian, Caitlyn, Draven, Miss Fortune, Samira, Zeri, Jinx, Vayne, and Ashe.
The item system gets an overhaul to support these changes. Players can explore new or redesigned options, including Hexoptics, Yun Tal Wildarrows, Fiendhuler Bolts, Stormrazor, Rapid Firecannon, and Immortal Shieldbow.
Lifesteal also receives changes intended to support basic attacks, on-hit damage, and abilities treated as basic attacks.
Support items are part of the update, too. Echoes of Helia is positioned toward offensive supports who want to convert damage into healing, while Ardent Censer, Staff of Flowing Water, and Harmonic Echo also receive changes.
Jungle changes reward efficient farming
Patch 7.3 also changes how junglers approach the early and mid-game.
The updated jungle system rewards consistent camp clearing with bonus gold and introduces a catch-up mechanic for junglers who fall behind. This reduces the pressure to constantly gank and encourages players to balance farming with opportunities to assist their teammates.
Clearing camps also progresses Ecosystem Protection stacks, allowing Smite to scale from 600 to 1,000 and eventually 1,400 true damage.
These changes make efficient farming more important when preparing to secure major objectives such as Baron Nashor, Rift Herald, and Dragons.
Epic monsters also adjust to the pace of each match, scaling according to the average player level rather than simply growing stronger as time passes.
Turrets receive substantial changes as well. Plating now extends to outer, inner, and inhibitor turrets and remains permanently. The new Crystalline Overgrowth mechanic lets turrets accumulate crystals that champions can detonate with their first basic attack.
Together, these changes place greater emphasis on lane pressure, defensive positioning, and coordinated pushes. Winning team fights remains important, but teams must also turn their advantages into meaningful objective damage.
Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai join the roster
Patch 7.3 expands the champion roster with three additions: Hwei, Sylas, and Rek’Sai.
Hwei, the Visionary, brings a flexible set of abilities to the mid lane. His Subject: Disaster, Subject: Serenity, and Subject: Torment ability groups give him tools for dealing damage, supporting allies, and controlling opponents.
Sylas offers explosive damage and crowd control. His kit includes an ability that pulls enemies into a stun-to-knock-up combination, while Kingslayer restores health based on his missing health. His ultimate lets him steal an enemy champion’s ultimate ability.
Rek’Sai brings another approach to initiating team fights. Her Unburrow ability knocks up nearby champions, while her ultimate helps her track nearby enemies before striking.
These additions give players more options for adapting their team compositions and strategies.
Ranked play and game modes get updates
Competitive players also get changes to Ranked and Legendary Ranked.
The S/A and MVP scoring systems now evaluate performance according to a player’s lane and champion role instead of relying on a single universal metric. Strong performances can also yield more Ranked energy.
Legendary Ranked receives adjustments to its seasonal entry requirements for former Grand Masters, alongside a new trial format designed to help top performers advance from Legendary Commander Rank.
Players looking for something different can also try Rift Rumble, a new 3v3 mode played on a symmetrical map. Teams battle for kills and compete to capture ultimate stones that can change how their champions secure eliminations.
Meanwhile, AAA Realm continues to evolve with a music-themed season and new augment cards. These include Sonic Waves, which draws inspiration from Riot Games’ musical acts, including HEARTSTEEL, Pentakill, and TRUE DAMAGE.
A new era for K/DA and Wild Rift
With FIRESTARTER, the HEATBRINGER skins, and a sweeping gameplay update, Patch 7.3 connects Riot Games’ music and gaming communities through a shared celebration.
K/DA’s return gives fans a new soundtrack and fresh looks for their favorite champions, while the gameplay changes introduce new ways to approach champion builds, jungle farming, and map control.
Players can follow Wild Rift Philippines’ official social media channels for updates on the latest patch, champion releases, and in-game content.
K/DA returns with FIRESTARTER.
HoYoverse will launch Petit Planet, its first cozy galactic life simulation game, on December 4, 2026. The game will be available on PC, iOS, and Android, with a Nintendo Switch 2 release planned for 2027.
The announcement was made during the Petit Planet Pre-Launch Special Program on November 1. HoYoverse also revealed more details about the game’s characters, gameplay features, and launch events.
Build a planet and meet new Neighbors
In Petit Planet, players take on the role of Planet Tenders who travel across the Starsea with Oumuamua, a Starsea Spirit said to listen to people’s wishes.
Each player starts with their own planet, where they plant a Luca Seed that grows into a Luca Arbor. This tree gradually shapes the planet’s landscape, seasons, and ecosystem.
Players will also meet various Neighbors, including Planet Coordinator Mobai and Starsea Racer Elsasani. Getting to know these characters allows players to develop friendships and discover their individual stories.
Beyond their home planets, players can explore scattered Islets across the Starsea. They can also visit the Galactic Bazaar to play games, participate in auctions, and share their creations with others.
Launch events offer free rewards
HoYoverse has prepared several events to celebrate the game’s launch.
Players can enter a pre-registration lucky draw through the official website for a chance to win prizes. Regular gameplay will also offer more than 1,000 clothing and furniture items for free.
The Besties, Made to Match! event rewards players who invite two friends to pre-register. Each participant will receive an exclusive clothing item.
Starting November 1, the Launch a Planet event will let players design their own planets through the official event website. Participants will also have a chance to win surprise grand prizes.
The first Petit Planet Seasonal Creation Event will begin alongside the game’s launch. Selected fan creations can win cash prizes, in-game rewards, and official merchandise.
Players can also visit the game’s official X account after the special program to receive a Moving Guide and join a giveaway featuring a suitcase, gift cards, and an exclusive luggage tag.
Pre-register for Petit Planet
Petit Planet is now available for pre-registration on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Epic Games Store. Players can search for the game on these platforms to pre-register and receive a notification when it launches.
The game arrives globally on December 4, 2026, for PC, iOS, and Android. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is scheduled for 2027.
It’s been a while since the last time we got a FromSoftware game. Elden Ring Nightreign felt like an age ago, even if it was launched just last year. Plus, the title isn’t even a new one, technically, since it’s just building off of Elden Ring. Unfortunately, our wait for a new FromSoftware game has to go on for a little bit longer. FromSoftware has delayed the launch of The Duskbloods to 2027.
The Duskbloods is an interesting addition to the FromSoftware oeuvre. Compared to the usual fare, the Switch-exclusive title is a multiplayer extraction game with a distinctly Bloodborne-like feel. If you’re used to FromSoftware’s usual formula, The Duskbloods represents a huge change.
But it’s a welcome one, nonetheless. If the recently released Elden Ring port of the Switch 2 is any indication, FromSoftware does have a handle of what performance looks like on the console.
Sadly, the new title needs a bit more time in the oven. Citing “final adjustments to game rules and balancing,” FromSoftware is delaying the launch of the game to 2027. According to the studio, this is in response to the successful network test a while back.
The delay shouldn’t come off as a surprise. Though the studio promised a 2026 launch for the title, most of the year has passed without a definite launch date. That was already a telltale sign that a delay was coming.
At the very least, the delay comes with the benefit of launching the game farther away from Grand Theft Auto VI and the Ocarina of Time remake, which will surely dominate holiday gaming this year.
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