Amerzone - The Explorer's Legacy is now available for PC and consoles, offering a remastered version of this Benoît Sokal-designed adventure game first released in 1999, confusingly under the exact same title. The original was in the news recently as a (now concluded) free giveaway on GOG.com. The Windows edition of the remaster is on the Epic Games Store, GOG.com,* and Steam. There are no launch or loyalty discounts, but there's a playable demo, also on the Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Steam. The Launch Trailer shows off the game's updated look and feel. Here's more:

As a young journalist, you’ve been entrusted with a crucial mission: to cross the globe and reach the heart of a mysterious, faraway land…

Your goal is to bring back the last egg of the mythical “Great White Birds”. According to legend, they are bound up with the fate of the only country they call home: a land with strange, dangerous plants and wildlife that has been devastated by years of bloody dictatorship.

Remedy announces a June 17th release date for FBC: Firebreak, the co-op shooter that shares a setting with Control. This will come to PC, Game Pass, and consoles as a Standard Edition or as a Deluxe Edition which includes cosmetics and voice packs. You can wishlist the Windows edition on the Epic Games Store and Steam. The announcement also includes the promise of free post-release content stretching into next year:

Remedy also confirmed plans for ongoing support post-launch, including two new Jobs (missions) coming after launch in 2025. More updates will arrive in 2026. All playable content released post launch, such as Jobs, will be free to all players.

A video update from Ubisoft features producer Grégory Corgié giving us the status of plans to add an offline mode to The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest, changes Ubisoft promised in November. The status of The Crew Motorfest is unclear, but we're told to expect offline mode to arrive in The Crew 2 by the end of this year. Players are told to watch out for beta invites, and PC Gamer says testing should start next week. Here's the news:

Hi everyone. In September, we promised to update you on the offline mode of The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest, and the moment has finally arrived. The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest will both receive offline modes, with The Crew 2's development progressing smoothly and aiming for a hybrid mode release by the end of 2025, allowing player(s) to switch between online and offline when they want. Community involvement will be key, so be sure to check your emails not to miss the invitation to out test. And stay tuned to not miss any update(s).

Realpolitiks 3: Earth and Beyond is now officially available for PC, as Jujubee and Fulqrum Publishing have elected to end Early Access for the political grand strategy sequel. It's on the Epic Games Store, GOG.com,* and Steam with some inconstancies. Steam lists Windows, macOS, and Linux support, the Epic store does not list Linux, and the GOG.com listing just shows Windows. Also there's a 20% launch discount for the next two weeks on GOG.com and Steam, while Epic is only offering its usual 5% cash back deal. Here's the Launch Trailer showing all the real-world situations this will not allow you to escape. Read on for more on how this reaches for the stars:

Prove your political brilliance in a grand strategy like no other: pick any contemporary country, set up your government and navigate the pitfalls of domestic and international politics. A glorious destiny awaits - the domination of not just the Earth, but the whole Solar system!

To achieve this ultimate goal, you will have to carefully consider a myriad of decisions, starting with the choice of a country you wish to lead. Any contemporary nation is available for your ambitions, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe and everything in between.

A-Train 9 V5.0 - Japan Train Simulator Ultimate Edition is now available worldwide for Windows on Steam. True to its name, this left the station in its native Japan late last year, but a new update adds all sorts of localization. This post has details on the news, and you can make what you will of the note added to the listing for the occasion: "Please be aware that there are some content differences between the version of A Train 9 v5 released in your region, and the version released in Japan." ARTDINK and KOMODO say this about the release: "The genre-defining fusion of transport simulator and city builder is back in its ultimate form!" There's no launch or relaunch trailer, but we did find an official A Train 9 Gameplay Trailer from 10 years ago. It's 25% off and there's an additional discount for owners of version 4.0. Here's word:

Delve into the world of train management: build railways, construct stations, and schedule your trains to carry your people throughout the city to their jobs, school, or just out for a night on the town. But why stop there? Trains aren’t the only things you have at your fingertips! A-Train 9 V5.0 : Japan Rail Simulator Ultimate Edition isn’t one of those train management sims that’s only about the trains: watch as your city develops intelligently around your tracks and further use the city building tools to shape your entire city into the perfect, burgeoning metropolis of your dreams!

• Deep Deep Deep Nightmare on Steam (Windows). "Deep Deep Deep Nightmare is a 2D Top Down Shooter. Survive by facing monsters in the nightmare of a little boy who didn’t heed his mother’s warnings that eating too much before bed can cause nightmares." Here's a Launch Trailer and there's a 20% launch discount.
• Phantom Brave: The Lost Hero on Steam (Windows). "Join Marona and her Phantom friends on a mission to defeat the sinister Shipwreck Fleet! Recruit Phantoms, bind them to objects, combine them with Gadgets, and even merge them with Marona herself in this Play-It-Your-Way RPG."
• Super Technos World: River City & Technos Arcade Classics on Steam (Windows). "This exciting collection brings you 12 games in one, from developer Technos Japan known for creating the legendary River City and Double Dragon series. This variety pack of titles includes some gems that haven’t been widely ported before! From arcade classics to region-exclusive titles, you’ll have plenty to explore in this collection! Get your hands on these highly exclusive games of legend!"
• SWORD ART ONLINE Fractured Daydream - Moonlit Night Fragment on Steam (Windows). Lucky seventh DLC pack.

• Easy Delivery Co. on Steam (Windows, macOS). "Easy Delivery Co. is a relaxing driving game with strange secrets. Chill out, make deliveries and get to know the mysterious residents of this scenic mountain town, all while earning well below minimum wage. Play at your own pace or play in split-screen race mode with up to four players."

• Bonaparte - A Mechanized Revolution - Early Access Release Date Trailer. The revolution will not be televised on May 21st.
• Trident's Tale - Gameplay - Release Date Trailer. Third-person pirate adventure sets sail on May 22nd.

• KOMODO 2025 Golden Week Sale - Steam.
• Audio Arsenal: A Comprehensive Audio and Music Bundle (pay what you want and help charity) - Humble.*

*Blue's News may receive a commission on sales of this item.

• Two Years After Launch, Lords of the Fallen Still Isn't Profitable - MP1st.

• For Honor Mid-Season Update Brings Prince of Persia Throwback Event.

• Fortnite x Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 trailer.

• Sea of Thieves Enforcement Policy Update.

• GeForce NOW Thursday: The Elder Scrolls IV- Oblivion Remastered - NVIDIA Blog.

• Marathon alpha players surprised by heavy aim assist on mouse and keyboard, and Shroud really hates it: 'PC players would rather improve their mechanics than have an assist' - PC Gamer. As it turns out I was correct.

• The Oblivion remaster is so faithful, it still has the secret glitched door to the end of the game that lets you roll credits in under 15 minutes.

Official trailers.

• For Honor: The Warrior Prince Trailer.
• For Honor - Content Of The Week - 24 April.
• Green Hawk Platoon - Meet The Rifleman.
• Skull and Bones: Year 2 Season 1 Smuggler Pass Trailer.
• Steam Wargames Fest 2025: Official Trailer.
• TMNT Dimensions 2 [ROGUELIKE] by Spiral House - Created In Fortnite.

• Embark on The Finals Interview - The Contestant Became a Finalist - MP1st.
• From Concept to Combat: How Stadium Came to Life in Overwatch 2 - Xbox Wire.

• Free Play Days – Alien- Isolation, Make Way and NHL 25 - Xbox Wire.

• In a Boon for Tesla, Feds Weaken Rules for Reporting on Self-Driving - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Google Maps rolling out full sheet redesign on Android - 9to5Google.

• Threads is moving to threads.com and adding a bunch of new web features - Engadget.
• Meta is trying to clean up Facebook spam - The Verge. If your feed is blank, there's the explanation.
• POP Peeper Version 5.6.2. Thanks Ant.

• Intel Q1 2025 Earnings: Lip Bu-Tan Eschews Layoffs For Now, Guidance Is Wholly Disappointing - Wccftech.
• Intel CEO announces layoffs, restructuring, $1.5 billion in cost reductions, expanded return to office mandate - Tom's Hardware.
• AMD releases open-source GIM driver aimed at GPU virtualization, support for mainstream Radeon GPUs coming later - Tom's Hardware.
• YouTube Ad Revenue Climbs 10%, Helping Alphabet Q1 Results Beat Wall Street Estimates - Deadline.
• PC makers are planning plants in Saudi Arabia to try and avoid US tariffs - TechRadar.

• IGN and CNET owner Ziff Davis sues OpenAI - The Verge.

• Gmail’s New Encrypted Messages Feature Opens a Door for Scams - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Microsoft mystery folder fix might need a fix of its own • The Register.
• Yale New Haven Health alerts 5.5M+ patients of data breach • The Register.

• Privacy firm files Ubisoft legal complaint over data collection, forced online in single-player games - Eurogamer.net.
• UK bans video game controller exports to Russia used to pilot drones - BBC.
• Trump goes after websites that raise money for his enemies - The Verge.
• Font used in famous anti-piracy campaign was pirated - Boing Boing.

Last Link of the Day: JAMES BOND - 007 Codenames video. Klaus Hergersheimer was always my favorite, not just because the actor who played the "real" Klaus was in Captain Scarlett and the lead in UFO. Though that certainly doesn't hurt. Thanks Ant.

The new weekly giveaways are live on the Epic Games Store, where everyone is now entitled to a free copy of comedy/adventure CHUCHEL as well as an Albion Online Free Welcome Gift with items and boosters for the MMORPG. As always, you have the next seven days to do your snagging and it's all yours to keep. After that the store will start giving away free copies of Super Space Club. Here's more on today's gifts:

CHUCHEL is a comedy adventure game from the creators of Machinarium, Botanicula and Samorost. Join the hairy hero Chuchel and his rival Kekel as they will be facing numerous puzzles and challenges in their quest to retrieve the precious cherry!

Albion Online Free Welcome Gift - Set off on the right foot! This bundle contains everything you need to start your adventure right – Premium time to boost your early progress, Tomes of Insight and Learning Points to help level up your equipment, vanity skins for your character and Transport Ox mount, and much more!

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is now available worldwide for PC, Game Pass, and consoles, offering the debut release from French developer Sandfall Interactive. The Windows edition is available on the Epic Games Store and Steam with a 10% launch discount for the next week. This is a turn-based RPG in a fantasy setting, as shown off in the cinematic Launch Trailer. A recent Lore Trailer helps explain the story. If you're interested in the music these featured in the videos, here are links to the soundtrack, and there's a 33-minute version of the Expedition 33 title theme on YouTube. Reviews have already arrived, and here's a roundup of those. Read on for the setup:

Once a year, the Paintress wakes and paints upon her monolith. Paints her cursed number. And everyone of that age turns to smoke and fades away. Year by year, that number ticks down and more of us are erased. Tomorrow she’ll wake and paint “33.” And tomorrow we depart on our final mission - Destroy the Paintress, so she can never paint death again.

We are Expedition 33.

11 bit studios announces Frostpunk 1886, calling this a "brand-new title" in the franchise, despite simultaneously calling it "a project that revisits and expands upon the beloved city-builder and society survival experience of the original Frostpunk." This is to launch in 2027, and its Steam Listing is now online. The New Game Announcement is just a tease, featuring a panicky voice, and pretty poor smoke physics considering that's all it shows. But it features new Unreal Engine graphics, one of the features the new game/remake is emphasizing:

But Frostpunk 1886—so titled to honour a pivotal moment in the timeline of the universe, when the Great Storm descended upon New London—is no mere visual overhaul. It builds upon the core of the original, expanding it with new content, mechanics, laws, and—perhaps most excitingly—an entirely new Purpose path, offering a fresh experience even for the most seasoned players.

Reimagining Frostpunk in Unreal Engine also allows the game to become a living, expandable platform, bringing with it long-awaited mod support—a community request that was previously impossible to realize due to technical limitations of the original engine—as well as the possibility to add future DLC content.

FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves is now officially available for PC and consoles, following a few days of Early Access for the fighting game. The Windows edition is available on the Epic Games Store and Steam. Here's the previous Play Guide Trailer and here's word:

SNK’s beloved Fatal Fury series first hit the market in 1991, spearheading the fighting game boom of the 1990s that swept the industry thereafter. GAROU: MARK OF THE WOLVES (released in 1999) has, for some time, served as the franchise’s most recent installment. But that is all about to change: 26 years on, a brand-new entry—FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves—is set to arrive on the scene!

Introducing the REV System, a brand-new toolset that offers unique offensive options from the moment the battle begins! Use REV Arts, REV Accel, REV Blows (while S.P.G. is active), and more until you hit your limit and the REV Meter overheats. The all-new REV System—fight at full throttle and supercharge the excitement!

Hooded Horse and 3DIVISION announce Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic - Early Start, DLC coming on May 22nd to Workers & Resources: Soviet Republic, taking a step back in time for the Cold War city-builder. As the title suggests, this starts things off sooner, allowing you to start spreading your socialism as far back as the 1930s. This is coming to the Epic Games Store, GOG.com, and Steam, depending on where you bought the base game. Here's a trailer showing what to expect, and here's more on this journey back in time:

Build the foundations of your glorious Soviet Republic starting from the tumultuous 30s and lead it through a time of rapid industrialization and centralization. Face off against the limitations of the era, research technologies that revolutionized the world, and establish the roots of a nation that will stand for decades to come.

Once Upon A Puppet is now available for PC and consoles, offering a 2.5D puzzle/platformer from Flatter Than Earth and Daedalic Entertainment that promises a grand adventure. The Windows edition is on Steam with a 15% launch discount. This is pretty meta, as you control a puppet and the stagehand who controls it, making you a puppet master master, of sorts. This post discusses the launch, illustrated by this trailer. Here's more:

Welcome to Once Upon a Puppet, a 2.5D puzzle-platformer that unfolds within a vibrant world of theater. Take part in a magical tale that combines classic platforming with puppet-inspired gameplay, in a captivating story of friendship, self-discovery, and redemption.

Wear the glove of Nieve, a Stagehand exiled to the Understage, and wield control over Drev’s strings, a Puppet magically bound to her. As they journey to return to the Frontstage above, they will retell forgotten stories, uncover shadowy secrets, and learn their fate is interwoven with the kingdom of theater itself.

DARKEST DAYS is now available on Steam as a free-to-play release, which is apparently part of a Global Open Beta for the Zombie Apocalypse Game. This game from Korean developer NHN started on mobiles. The beta supports crossplay, and this post has a cross-platform usage guide. Unfortunately, early reviews are pretty savage, criticizing the port and its pay-to-win mechanics. Here's a recent Gameplay Teaser Trailer and here are the details:

DARKEST DAYS is a zombie shooting RPG set in a post-apocalyptic world devastated by a sudden zombie outbreak. Explore a dark yet captivating open world, build a sanctuary with fellow survivors, grow stronger, and fight for survival.

• Boo Boo Booster on Steam with a 15% launch discount: "Fly with a fart! Defeat the enemy with a fart! Save Japan!？ Attack and jump are integrated, and you can play with just two buttons! 2D action shooting with easy controls!"

• Frog Legs Release Date Trailer. May 19th.
• Hotel Architect - Early Access Release Date Trailer. May 20th.
• RoboCop: Rogue City - Unfinished Business - Story Trailer. July 17th.

• Until Dawn developer reportedly cancels Blade Runner game set for PS6, next Xbox - Eurogamer.net.

• Paradox Interactive Has a "full team" Working on Victoria 3, wants it to become "one of our evergreen franchises" - GameWatcher.

• Metaphor: ReFantazio's PC sales far exceeded Atlus’ expectations, says director Katsura Hashino - AUTOMATON WEST. Thanks Reddit.

• Huge donation will help The Strong preserve the history of defunct Saints Row developer Volition - Game Developer.

• F1 25 locks some F1 movie crossover content behind its iconic edition, but its devs say those who don’t have it “shouldn't feel like the experience is missing” - VG247. Just stare into the gaslight.

• The First Descendant Hotfix 1.2.15.
• Isonzo - The Free Moschin Expansion & free DLC upgrade are OUT NOW.
• Marvel Rivals Version 20250425 Patch Notes.
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 - Hotfix 7.1.
• War Thunder - Server Update 23.04.25.
• War Thunder - Update 2.45.1.67.

↑ Official patches. ↓ Unofficial games, patches, and mods.

• This Oblivion Remastered Mod brings back the colors of the original - DSOGaming.

• GTA 5, Infamous: Second Son, Batman- Arkham Knight, And Resistance Are All Leaving PS Plus Soon - TheGamer.

• Five Essential Tips for Your Adventure in Once Upon a Puppet - Xbox Wire.

Official trailers.

• Disney Dreamlight Valley – Wonderland Whimsy Update Trailer.
• Isonzo - Free Moschin Expansion - OUT NOW.

• Where to Watch PUBG Global Series 7 & 8! - NEWS - PUBG ESPORTS.

• Microsoft Founder Bill Gates Made One Of The Worst Driving Video Games Ever - The Autopian.

• RoboCop- Rogue City – Unfinished Business coming to PS5 July 17 – PlayStation.Blog.
• Nintendo Download- Keeping Things Classy.
• Carmen Sandiego - 40th Anniversary Physical Edition Trailer.
• The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy-- Launch Trailer.
• Game Week Sale comes to PlayStation Store April 23 – PlayStation.Blog.

• American Cancer Society and Besitos Join Forces to Fight Cancer Through Mobile Gaming.
• Google offers free battery replacements for Pixel 7a devices with swollen batteries - Neowin.
• DC: Dark Legion boasts 4 million downloads.
• Zen Pinball World - 16 Tables Arrived (video).

• The hidden world beneath the shadows of YouTube's algorithm - BBC. Median video gets 41 views. Clips with 130+ views are in the top 33%. Thanks brother19.
• Trump crypto soars as US president offers dinner to top holders - BBC.

• FileZilla v3.69.1. Thanks Ant.

• ‘You Can’t Lick a Badger Twice’- Google Failures Highlight a Fundamental AI Flaw - WIRED (may require registration or subscription).
• Here's what really happens when you don't say 'thank you' to ChatGPT — and I why I always do - Tom's Guide.

• Hegseth’s new favorite adviser helped set up Signal on one of secretary’s computers - CNN.
• How to delete your personal info from the internet for free - Fast Company. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• M&S takes systems offline as 'cyber incident' lingers • The Register.
• Security snafus caused by third parties up from 15% to 30% • The Register.

• FBI: Cybercrime cost victims 'staggering' $16.6B last year • The Register.
• Ofcom finalises rules for tech firms to protect children online - BBC.

• AI Limit - Christ Centered Gamer.
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 review: A debut that exceeds expectations - Polygon.

• Laptop: Framework 13 AMD AI 300-series review - PC Gamer. Thanks Neutronbeam.
• Motherboard: Colorful iGame B860M Ultra V20 Review - TechPowerUp.

I want to thank the so many of you who shared your thoughts on the sad passing of our pal RedEye9. The loss still has me reeling (I'm crying again as I write this), but I cannot express how much comfort I take from reading through everyone's fond remembrances. One takeaway from the comments is that stories about game giveaways will henceforth always use the term "snag" in one of its forms in RedEye9's honor. It may seemed forced for those not in the know, but it can be a nice way to remember our lost friend. This will come up right way since Thursday is Epic Games Store giveaway day. So yeah, every time a gamer snags a freebie an angel gets his wings.

Obituary: Roy Thomas Baker Dead- Bohemian Rhapsody, Wheel In The Sky Producer Was 78 - Deadline.
Obituary: Hall of Famer, Bears legend Steve 'Mongo' McMichael dies at 67 following battle with ALS - NFL.

Snagged Round-up
Thanks Ant, Neutronbeam, and Max.

Stories

• The Cutting-Edge Ingredients Making IPAs More Pungent Than Ever - VinePair. I enjoy strong tastes like scotch and black coffee, but I draw the line at IPAs.
• Scientists filmed wild chimpanzees sharing alcohol-laced fermented fruit for the first time and it looks eerily familiar - ZME Science.

Science

• Gold Injections in The Eye May Be The Future of Vision Preservation - ScienceAlert. Just need to Pierce Brosnan the cornea.
• Lasers Over Drills: Curiosity Rover’s Power Pivot Unleashes a Science Bonanza - SciTechDaily.
• Trial to boldly grow food in space labs blasts off - BBC.
• Tapeworm in fox poop that will slowly destroy your organs is on the rise - Ars Technica. Might be time to cut down on fox poop.

Media

• Star Wars: Shattered Dawn (Fan Film 2025).
• Baby and mom arguing. Thanks VideoSift.