This week brought several diverse news items from the world of video games, from the potential return of one of Ubisoft's most famous platforming heroes to new indie projects and discussions about preserving physical game editions. Below is a brief overview of the news worth highlighting.
Rayman Legends Remake reportedly has a new name
According to new information, the remake of Rayman Legends could be titled Rayman Legends: Retold, and it is reportedly set to be released in early October 2026. Although Ubisoft has not yet officially unveiled the project in full, the return of Rayman has been mentioned for some time, which could delight fans of classic 2D platformers. Rayman Legends is still considered one of the best modern platforming games, so it will be interesting to see how much the new release could be more than just a visual refresh.
Media Molecule reportedly working on an ambitious open world project
Studio Media Molecule, known for the LittleBigPlanet and Dreams series, is reportedly working on a completely new open world project. According to information that has emerged through professional profiles and earlier statements related to the studio, it is a new IP that could represent a significant shift for Media Molecule. Instead of a creative tool like Dreams, the new project is said to be a more structured game, featuring exploration, points of interest, and possible resource gathering elements. Sony has not officially announced the game yet.
Daniel Vávra criticized Ubisoft
Daniel Vávra, known as one of the authors of the Kingdom Come: Deliverance series, has once again attracted attention with his criticisms of Ubisoft. Vávra commented on the size of Ubisoft's workforce and how the company manages its resources, pointing out that with such a large number of employees, it would theoretically be possible to develop multiple large games on the level of Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. His statement opened a discussion about the effectiveness of large AAA publishers, bureaucracy in game development, and the difference between large corporate systems and smaller, more focused studios.
Physical edition of Gothic Remake will not work without a day one patch
Gothic Remake has reopened the discussion about the purpose of physical editions of modern games. According to information that emerged after early copies were sent out, the physical edition of the game will not be playable without an internet connection and downloading a day one patch. This decision disappointed some players who buy physical editions precisely for the preservation of games and the ability to play without additional downloads. Although day one patches are common today, cases where the disc practically does not allow the game to start without the internet still provoke negative reactions.
Empire Earth arrives on Steam for the first time
The classic strategy series Empire Earth has appeared on Steam for the first time. Publisher Rebellion has made all three games available for purchase: Empire Earth: Gold Edition, Empire Earth II: Gold Edition, and Empire Earth III. This series is remembered by many strategy fans for its vast time span, from prehistory to futuristic periods. The Steam releases include single-player campaigns and expansions, while multiplayer is supported through LAN play. For older PC gamers, this is a nice return of one of the more well-known RTS series from the early 2000s.
Papaya Plaza announced, a relaxed city builder for PC
Weekend Games and Biscuit Factory Games have announced Papaya Plaza, a relaxed city builder coming to PC via Steam. Players will take on the role of the mayor of a neglected tourist spot and try to transform it into a pleasant, vibrant destination. The emphasis is on a laid-back pace, city decoration, helping residents, and creating a colorful pixel art place. A demo version is already available, so the game can be tried out before the full version is released.
Calame brings a tactical RPG to PC and consoles
Nextale Games has announced Calame, an isometric tactical turn-based RPG currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game is described as a single-player strategic RPG with a classic tactical approach, turn-based combat, and a focus on planning moves. A release date is not yet known, but the project could be interesting for players who enjoy tactical RPGs in the style of older genre classics.
River City Saga: Journey to the West gets an official trailer
Arc System Works has released the official trailer for River City Saga: Journey to the West, a new game from the well-known Kunio-kun / River City series. The game brings an action beat 'em up approach inspired by the Chinese novel Journey to the West, but with the recognizable River City humor, stylized characters, and arcade brawls. The trailer showcases characters, combat, and the overall tone of the game, and the title is expected to appeal to fans of retro action and modern takes on classic brawlers.
Run ’n’ gun game Tiebreakers announced
Lifetap Studios has announced Tiebreakers, a shonen run ’n’ gun action game for PC. The game visually and thematically draws on the energy of anime battles, fast-paced action, and dynamic confrontations, with an emphasis on characters with different abilities. Tiebreakers currently does not have a confirmed release date, but the announcement suggests a project aimed at players who enjoy fast 2D action games, arcade pacing, and a stylized anime approach.
