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The Outerhaven •

Abyssus Hands-On Preview: Roguelite Meets FPS—and It’s Hella Fun

It seems we have a fascination with going places we’re not supposed to—like delving into ancient civilizations filled with wealth and deadly traps. Maybe it’s some kind of adventurous instinct or even a fetish for danger. Case in point: that’s exactly what I did during the Abyssus preview, provided by DoubleMoose Games and The Arcade Crew. I explored the first location, plunging into the depths of a massive underground (or possibly underwater?) cavern, doing my best to stay alive as I fought off...
The Outerhaven •

Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 184 – Tariffs Affecting Gaming, Switch 2 Drama, Tron is Back and All New Venom is Terrible

On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 184, the crew kicks things off by diving into the games they’ve been playing and the shows and movies they’ve been watching. One of the big highlights is the debut trailer for Tron: Ares, which has the team buzzing with mixed excitement and frustration about Disney’s latest sci-fi venture. From there, the conversation shifts gears to more serious territory, touching on the impact of tariffs and how they’ve trickled down into consumer tech and gaming—sometimes in...
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Canada Joins the U.S. in North America’s Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Order Delay

Last week, Nintendo announced delays for pre-order sales of the Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S., citing newly implemented tariffs by President Donald Trump. Now, Canada has joined the U.S. in postponing pre-orders, as reported by the Canadian website MobileSyrup. Nintendo issued this statement regarding the delay: Like gamers in the U.S., Canadians are now left waiting, with Nintendo unable to provide an update on when pre-orders will resume. While the release date for the console remains unchange...
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Reburn Announces La Quimera Release Date, Closed Beta, and New Gameplay Trailer

Reburn, an independent game development studio, is excited to announce the upcoming release of its debut title, La Quimera — a narrative-driven first-person shooter set in a futuristic Latin American megalopolis. The game will launch on April 25 for PC via Steam, priced at $29.99. This marks Reburn’s first original IP, with the game’s world and narrative crafted by acclaimed filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn Drive, The Neon Demon) and writer E.J.A. Warren. Set in the sprawling fictional mega-city o...
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Assassin’s Creed Shadows Patch 1.0.2 With Quality-of-Life Updates Planned for April 8th

Ubisoft has announced that the first major post-launch update for Assassin’s Creed Shadows will be released on April 8, 2025, which will deliver several quality-of-life improvements, gameplay tweaks, and technical fixes. Titled Update 1.0.2, this patch marks an important milestone for the game as the development team continues to refine the player experience in response to community feedback. Title Update 1.0.2 will go live on April 8 at 2 PM UTC / 10 AM EDT / 7 AM PT and here are the sizes per...
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How the U.S.A. Tariffs Will Impact Gamers and Geek Culture

I usually try to avoid discussing politics on this platform, but lately—thanks to the reckless decisions of the Trump administration—that’s been difficult. Recently, President Trump initiated what many are calling the second major global trade war since the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1929 raised tariffs, and it wasn’t a good time for any. Now, with Nintendo delaying pre-orders for its highly anticipated next-gen console, the Nintendo Switch 2, it seems like gamers and fans of geek culture are fi...
The Outerhaven •

Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-Orders Delayed in the U.S. Due to Tariff Concerns

Nintendo fans in the U.S. will have to wait a bit longer to lock in their pre-orders for the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. Originally scheduled to begin on April 9, 2025, in the U.S., the pre-order process has been delayed as Nintendo assesses the impact of newly enforced tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump. Here’s what Nintendo recently stated about this pre-order delay. These tariffs—introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration—affect imports from certain regions, including...
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Trump’s Tariffs are Going to Affect EVERYTHING – Gaming Is Just Part of It

I’m sure we’ve all heard that Nintendo is delaying its Switch 2 pre-orders in the U.S. due to President Trump’s tariffs. The company says it wants to “assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions”—which is basically a polite way of saying it’s deciding whether it needs to raise the price of its console here. Honestly, that’s fair, and I respect Nintendo for being upfront about it. However, if you think this is only going to affect Nintendo, I wish that were the case. The...
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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Looks Incredible in 4K Gameplay Reveal

It’s been ages, but the wait is almost over—Metroid Prime 4, officially titled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, is finally set to launch alongside the Nintendo Switch 2. With just a few months to go, Nintendo is pulling back the curtain on what the new hardware can do, and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is clearly one of their showcase titles. As part of the Nintendo Treehouse event running April 3–4, the company dropped an 18-minute gameplay video in glorious 4K, complete with commentary. It gives fans their...
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Spectator Mode Podcast Ep. 183 – Nintendo Switch 2 Direct Impressions

Welcome to a very impromptu episode of the Spectator Mode Podcast! To be honest, we didn’t expect all of us to be available for the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct—let alone be this spoiled for options. But hey, here we are, and trust us, we’ve got a lot to unpack. Some takes are positive, some… not so much, but it’s all in good fun. Oh, and still no damned F-Zero! Adding that somehow, Nintendo managed to pull off the impossible—convincing FromSoftware to make a Bloodborne-esque multiplayer game called...
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Ignore the Critics, the Nintendo Switch 2 Tech Upgrade Is Huge

Okay, we finally got the specs for the Nintendo Switch 2, and as someone who gets genuinely excited talking tech, all I can say is: WOW. I’m seriously impressed—way more than I anticipated. This is some genuinely exciting hardware. Yet, unsurprisingly, the critics are already out in force. You’ve got folks who are either dead-set against picking up a Switch 2, have a hate-boner, or are just flat-out misinformed. Many are advising others to skip the Switch 2 because it’s allegedly “not as powerfu...
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Nintendo’s $80 Games Set a Dangerous Precedent—Are Higher Prices the New Normal?

It’s finally happened. Nintendo has revealed its Nintendo Switch 2, the company’s latest-generation gaming console, complete with a $450 and $500 (bundled) price tag—assuming the damned tax tariffs don’t drive the price up even more. But I’m not here to talk about console prices. That has always been a concern, and they seem to get more expensive with each release. Instead, let’s talk about something more pressing: the cost of games. Now, this is something that, to me, is even more concerning. R...
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Mario Kart World Announced Exclusively for Switch 2

During the Nintendo Direct that’s all about the Nintendo 2 Switch, Nintendo revealed that Mario Kart World will be a launch title for the system. While Nintendo hasn’t said much about the game, what it did say and show off is that Mario Kart World is basically a Mario Kart x Forza Horizon title. And honestly, I’m fine with this. This story is developing… During the Nintendo Direct that’s all about the Nintendo 2 Switch, Nintendo revealed that Mario Kart World will be a launch title for the syst...
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Nintendo Switch 2 Specs and Release Date Revealed, Priced at $450

During the Nintedo Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo finally revealed the specs for the Nintendo 2, along with a release date of June 5th, 2025. **Update** Nintendo sent us an email regarding the price of the Nintendo Switch 2, and it will be priced at $450! Pre-orders for the Nintendo switch 2 will go live as of April 9th, 2025. While Nintendo was forthcoming with the specs, what it has shown is a leap from the original Switch. With remarkable hardware enhancements and thrilling new features, this next...
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FromSoftware’s Duskbloods Is a Nintendo Switch 2 Exclusive with Shades of Bloodborne

During the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo and FromSoftware unveiled their latest creation: Duskbloods. From the studio behind Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Armored Core, this new title is already making waves. Slated for release in 2026 as a Switch 2 exclusive, Duskbloods has fans buzzing with excitement, especially since it seems to carry echoes of Bloodborne—an intriguing nod for longtime devotees. Check out the Duskbloods trailer below. After the reveal, more information about the game was...
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FromSoftware Unveils the Iron Eye, the Next Nightfarer in Elden Ring Nightreign

On a day when skepticism runs high, Bandai Namco and FromSoftware chose to reveal the next Nightfarer, the Iron Eye, a playable character in the upcoming roguelike Soulslike title, Elden Ring Nightreign. This new class specializes in ranged combat, excelling with bows and dexterity-based weapons. Beyond dealing damage from a distance, the Iron Eye also brings valuable utility to a party, with the unique ability to revive downed allies using ranged attacks. It’s an intriguing addition, and just f...
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Serafim S3 Cloud Controller Review – Smartphone Controller Contender

I’ll be honest—when it comes to mobile gaming, I lean more toward the Steam Deck and ROG Ally. But I won’t deny that playing on a smartphone has a certain charm, including access to some of the best controllers on the market. So, when Serafim showcased its Serafim S3 Cloud Gaming Controller at CES 2025, I wanted to get my hands on it outside of a controlled setting. That’s when Serafim was gracious enough to send one out for review, and I’ve been putting it through its paces. I’m finally ready t...
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Monster Hunter Wilds Crosses 10 Million Copies Sold

Earlier in March 2025, Capcom revealed that Monster Hunter Wilds had sold over 8 million copies in three days. Now, with March 2025 at a close, Capcom has announced that its flagship monster-hunting title has surpassed 10 million copies. While that may suggest the momentum is slowing down, I expect things to pick up with the first update for Monster Hunter Wilds, which will introduce a returning monster, Mizutsune, and the game’s first Arch-tempered hunt for Rey Dau. The Grand Hub, a new in-game...
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Is ASUS Teasing the ROG Ally 2 or is this an Elaborate April Fools’ Joke

While I am not a fan of reporting on things that border on being legit and possibly a hoax—thanks to how close we are to April Fools’ Day—I feel I wouldn’t be doing my duty if I didn’t do so. Just keep in mind that tomorrow is a day for trying to fool people, and sometimes, they start early. Today, on the ROG Ally X social media account, a cute but short video was shown featuring the Republic of Gamers mascot, Omni, working on an updated version of the ASUS ROG Ally. This new version is said to...
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Spectator Mode Ep. 182 – Game Informer Returns, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Ubisoft Drama

On Spectator Mode Podcast episode 182, we dive into the latest gaming buzz, starting with our excitement about heading back to Summer Game Fest before diving into the big news—Game Informer is back! Dotemu and Tribute Games also made headlines with their reveal of Marvel Cosmic Invasion, while The First Berserker: Khazan left Keith seriously impressed. We reviewed Dark Deity 2 and even had an insightful interview with MASUMI. The episode also featured a deep dive into Assassin’s Creed Shadows, d...
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