Alright, let's get this straight: if you're looking for a game to blast through with guns blazing and monsters to mow down, "POOLS" will just float right past you. But if you're into the kind of game that creeps up on you like a fog, thick and slow, where the scariest thing isn't what jumps out, but what might be lurking just out of sight, you’ll love pools.

Manor Lords burst onto the scene with the ambitious promise of blending deep city-building mechanics with intense strategic combat. The result? A game that feels like it's teetering on the brink of becoming a genre classic, yet still shows the raw edges of its early access roots. Let’s dive into the gritty details and find out if it's worth your time—or if you should wait for the final coat of polish.

In the realm of survival and crafting games, "The Planet Crafter" stands out by ditching the typical combat-heavy narratives for a more serene yet challenging experience: terraforming a dead planet into a thriving ecosystem. Here, the game isn’t about destroying; it's about creating, nurturing, and watching a barren landscape evolve into a lush, habitable world. It's a refreshing change of pace for those who've had their fill of post-apocalyptic wastelands and monster-infested dungeons.

It's never a good sign when a game that thrived on its punishing realism decides to slap a hefty price tag on survival. This week, Escape From Tarkov’s developers, BattleState Games, introduced a $250 "Unheard Edition" of their gritty survival shooter. This isn't just an expensive edition; it fundamentally changes how the game is played, offering a full PvE version, more storage in those digital pockets, and a shiny item that turns aggressive NPCs into passive scenery. Fans? Not happy.

In a realm dominated by the never-ending quest for profit, one visionary dares to dream differently. Hyung-Tae Kim, the mastermind behind Stellar Blade and the CEO of Shift Up Studio, is casting aside industry norms to champion the cause of diversity in the gaming world. In an illuminating conversation with Ruliweb (Translation by GameRadar), Kim unveils his bold stance against the grain, advocating for the richness of variety over the bland pursuit of profitability.

"Call of Duty: Vanguard" reportedly sold a whopping 30 million copies. Yeah, you read that right—30 million. "Call of Duty: Vanguard" reportedly sold a whopping 30 million copies. Yeah, you read that right—30 million.?”

Dive headfirst into "Cepheus Protocol," an RTS game that's as chaotic as a supermarket before a hurricane. You're in charge of CERC, the only gang in town with enough guns and guts to face down an alien virus turning folks into not-so-friendly neighbors. Think "The Walking Dead” meets "StarCraft," with a sprinkle of "why the hell can't I stop playing?”

Alright, picture this: Amazon Prime Gaming, in their infinite wisdom, decides to give us all a surprise with their latest "hush-hush" GoG release. Except, oopsie daisy, it looks like someone hit the "announce" button a tad too early on Fallout 76 being one of the big reveals. That's right, folks, the cat's out of the bag, and it's wearing power armor.

In the left corner, wearing the belt of Truth and Integrity, we have Jason Schreier, a heavyweight in the gaming journalism world. And in the right, donning the cloak of Mystery and Rumors, is the newcomer on the block, Silknight, whose grip on verified information seems as slippery as a wet fish.

"Aquarist" kicks off with you inheriting a fish tank that looks sadder than a fish out of water. But hey, it's not just any fish tank; it's your ticket to becoming the ultimate aquarist. With a bit of cash and a dream, I embarked on my journey from my bedroom to the big leagues, aiming to build the sickest underwater cribs the digital world has ever seen.

Jumping into "Bob's Tall Tales," I was hoping for something epic, something that would make my 30 euros feel like an investment rather than a daylight robbery. Instead, what I got was the gaming equivalent of a whoopee cushion: amusing for a second, but ultimately, just a load of hot air.

Gather around, dear digital adventurers, for a tale of post-apocalyptic travels, turn-based tangles, and tunes that tug at the heartstrings. "Highwater" promised an story through sunken civilizations with a boat, a dream, and a pirate radio to guide the way.

Let me take you on a wild ride through the chaotic streets of "Maniac," a game that dares to ask, "What if GTA met Vampire Survivors in a bar and decided to create the ultimate chaos simulator?" Yeah, it's as bonkers as it sounds. Strap in; this is going to be a bumpy ride.

In what can be seen as a power play in the gaming industry, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), a titan in the realm of interactive entertainment, has announced its plans to acquire The Gearbox Entertainment Company. The price tag? A hefty $460 million, paid entirely in newly issued Take-Two common stock. Gearbox, the brains behind hits like "Borderlands" and "Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands," is about to enter a new chapter under Take-Two's vast umbrella.

In what can only be described as a slip-up of epic proportions, a Rockstar Games developer accidentally let the cat out of the bag, giving us a tantalizing glimpse into the hotly anticipated "Grand Theft Auto VI." An image making rounds on the internet, straight from the inner sanctums of Rockstar’s development team, has confirmed that the main storyline of GTA 6 will span approximately 40 hours of gameplay. But wait, there's a twist - the image also hints at the inclusion of thunderstorms, adding a literal and figurative storm to the already brewing excitement.

Buckle up because the gaming grapevine is pulsating with a fresh leak that's got the community's keyboards clacking in overdrive. An anonymous whistleblower, potentially moonlighting as an alpha tester for the much-anticipated (and much-speculated) "Marvel Rivals," dropped a truth bomb on Reddit that's got us all reeling. And then—poof!—the post vanished like it was on the wrong end of a Doctor Strange spell. But worry not, dear readers, your intrepid scribe caught the gist before it faded into the digital ether.

If your spidey-senses were tingling this morning, here’s why: Marvel Games just dropped a tweet that’s about to make tomorrow’s breakfast taste like victory. An “evil experiment” is messing with the timestream, and guess what? It's showtime at the Marvel HQ, and everyone's invited to watch.

Buckle up, super-fans and trigger-happy gamers, because the rumor mill's churning out something spicier than a ghost pepper latte this week. Fresh off the digital press, we've got whispers of a Marvel game that's about to do to your free time what Thanos did to the universe

Alright, strap in and grab your tissues, 'cause I'm about to take you on a trip down Heartbreak Lane with a pit stop at Disappointmentville. Our beloved Blizzard, the masterminds behind the clickety-clack addiction machine known as Overwatch, have gone and gutted the PvE dreams for Overwatch 2 faster than you can say "nerf Bastion." That's right, chuckleheads, the PvE content we've been salivating over since 2019 just got Thanos-snapped out of existence.

We’re diving headfirst into the cosmic rodeo that is Lightyear Frontier, where your space boots will get more dirt on 'em from farming than from kicking alien ass. This ain’t your grandpappy’s space journey; it’s more like Stardew Valley had a steamy affair with MechWarrior, and their lovechild decided to become an interstellar farmer instead of a galaxy-trotting warrior.