Is Reanimal Couch Co-Op?

Yes, Reanimal supports couch co-op, letting you and a friend play together locally on the same screen. This is actually one of the game's biggest selling points and a notable improvement over Little Nightmares 3, which controversially launched with online-only multiplayer and left a lot of fans frustrated.

Developed by Tarsier Studios, the original creators of Little Nightmares and Little Nightmares II, Reanimal was designed from the ground up as a cooperative horror experience. You can play through the entire game in local co-op, online co-op, or solo with an AI companion controlling the second sibling. The choice is entirely yours, though we'd recommend grabbing a friend for this one if you can. Horror games hit different when you've got someone next to you on the couch.

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How does Reanimal Couch Co-Op Work?

The game uses a shared, directed camera rather than traditional split-screen. Both players remain on the same screen at all times, which Tarsier says is designed to "maximise claustrophobia and tension." It's a deliberate stylistic choice that keeps you and your partner physically close as you navigate the game's hellish environments. Some players might initially wonder why there's no split-screen option, but the single-camera approach is central to the horror experience Tarsier is going for. You're meant to feel trapped together, not separated.

For those unfamiliar with the game, Reanimal follows a brother and sister who must work together to rescue their missing friends from a nightmarish version of the island they once called home. You'll explore twisted environments by boat and on foot, solve environmental puzzles, and evade some genuinely unsettling creatures along the way. Tarsier has cited It Takes Two, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, and Silent Hill 2 as inspirations, which gives you a good idea of the tonal range they're aiming for. There's adventure here alongside the dread.

The cooperative mechanics extend beyond simply having two characters on screen. Both siblings have distinct roles in puzzle-solving and exploration, meaning you'll need to communicate and coordinate with your partner to progress. This isn't a case where one player could essentially go AFK while the other does the heavy lifting. Teamwork is baked into the design.

If you're planning to play solo, the AI companion is reportedly competent enough to handle its responsibilities without constantly getting in the way or dying needlessly. That said, the game is clearly built with two human players in mind, and we suspect that's where the experience really shines.

Reanimal launches on February 13, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. A Digital Deluxe Edition priced at $59.99 will also be available, including the base game, Season Pass, and exclusive Foxhead and Muttonhead masks. If you want to try before you buy, a free demo is currently available on Steam, giving you a taste of what Tarsier has been cooking up since they handed the Little Nightmares series over to Supermassive Games.

Get your Reanimal Steam key now!

Yes, Reanimal supports couch co-op, letting you and a friend play together locally on the same screen. This is actually one of the game’s biggest selling points and a notable improvement over Little Nightmares 3, which controversially launched with online-only multiplayer and left a lot of fans frustrated. Developed by Tarsier Studios, the original creators […]

Minecraft 1.21.131: Patch Notes, Bug Fixes, and Everything You Need to Know

The Minecraft 1.21.131 hotfix has arrived for Bedrock Edition players, addressing several issues discovered in the Mounts of Mayhem update. Mojang rolled out this patch on December 16, 2025, and it's now available across all major platforms including Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Android, and iOS.

This update focuses on stability improvements and targeted fixes rather than new content. If you've been experiencing issues with Spear combat mechanics or certain achievements not triggering correctly, this patch is for you.

Play Minecraft right here, right now!

What's New in Minecraft 1.21.131?

The Minecraft 1.21.131 update brings a handful of changes that refine the gameplay experience introduced in the Mounts of Mayhem drop. While Mojang didn't add any new content with this hotfix, the adjustments make existing features work more reliably across all Bedrock platforms.

Spear Combat Improvements

The Spear received two notable adjustments in this update. First, Mojang increased the duration during which the weapon can apply knockback while charging. This gives players more flexibility when timing their attacks and makes the Spear feel more responsive in combat situations.

Second, the charge attack animations now align more closely with the Spear's gameplay phases. The Engaged, Tired, and Disengaged states each have improved visual feedback, making it easier to understand exactly where you are in the attack cycle. These animation refinements don't change the weapon's fundamental mechanics, but they do make combat feel more intuitive.

Bug Fixes in Minecraft 1.21.131

Mojang addressed several bugs that players reported following the Mounts of Mayhem release:

The "Adventuring Time" achievement no longer unlocks prematurely on PC. Previously, the achievement would trigger before players had visited all 17 required biomes. This fix ensures you actually need to complete the exploration challenge before earning the reward.

The Escape key now properly returns players to the main menu after searching the Marketplace. This was a frustrating navigation bug that interrupted the browsing experience for many players.

Add-on users will appreciate that using custom content no longer causes a "Block" error when loading levels or creating new worlds. This fix improves stability for players who rely on community-created modifications.

Nintendo Switch players specifically benefit from UI corrections when loading add-ons or connecting to servers. Display elements now render correctly on the platform.

Platform Availability

Minecraft 1.21.131 is rolling out across all Bedrock Edition platforms. The update follows Mojang's standard staggered deployment, meaning some players may receive it before others depending on their platform and region.

The internal version numbers vary by platform: Windows and Xbox show 1.21.13101.0, while mobile platforms (Android, iOS, ChromeOS, and Fire devices) display 1.21.131.1. PlayStation 4 runs version 3.28, PlayStation 5 runs 1.038.000, and Nintendo Switch runs v138. Despite the different numbering, all platforms receive the same fixes and improvements.

How to Update to Minecraft 1.21.131

Most players will receive Minecraft 1.21.131 automatically through their platform's standard update process. If you haven't received the update yet, you can manually check for it through your device's app store or game management settings.

On Xbox, navigate to "My games & apps," select Minecraft, then "Manage game and add-ons" followed by "Updates." PlayStation users can highlight the game in their library and press the Options button to check for updates. Windows players using the Microsoft Store should receive updates automatically, though you can force a check through the store's download queue.

Mobile players on Android and iOS typically receive updates through the Google Play Store or App Store respectively. If automatic updates are enabled, the patch should install the next time your device connects to the internet.

Minecraft's New Version Numbering

If the version number 1.21.131 seems confusing, you're not alone. Mojang recently announced changes to how they number Minecraft releases going forward. Starting in 2026, versions will be numbered based on the year, making it easier to identify which game drop a particular update belongs to.

Under the current system, 1.21.131 breaks down as follows: 1.21 represents the major update line (Tricky Trials and subsequent game drops), 130 represents the Mounts of Mayhem release, and the final 1 indicates this is the first hotfix for that release. Bedrock Edition counts upward from the release number for patches, which explains why you see 131 rather than a separate patch number.

Performance and Stability

Beyond the specific bug fixes, Minecraft 1.21.131 includes general stability improvements that benefit all players. The update addresses several crashes that could occur during gameplay, particularly in scenarios involving complex world interactions or multiplayer connections.

Players on mid-range Android devices may notice smoother performance during extended play sessions. Mojang optimized memory handling in this release, which helps prevent the gradual slowdowns that some players experienced after playing for several hours.

World loading and chunk updates also received backend improvements. While these changes aren't immediately visible, they reduce the likelihood of encountering invisible blocks, delayed terrain rendering, or temporary world corruption caused by performance issues.

Multiplayer Improvements

The Minecraft 1.21.131 update includes backend improvements for multiplayer stability. Players connecting to Realms or external servers should experience fewer disconnections and better synchronization with other players. These improvements are particularly noticeable during activities that require precise timing, such as cooperative building or PvP combat.

Should You Update?

If you're playing Minecraft Bedrock Edition, updating to 1.21.131 is recommended. The bug fixes address real issues that affected gameplay, and the Spear improvements make combat more satisfying. The update maintains full compatibility with existing worlds, so your builds and progress remain intact.

Players who use add-ons should update their custom content to ensure compatibility, though the update specifically improves add-on stability compared to the previous version.

What Comes Next?

Minecraft 1.21.131 represents Mojang's continued commitment to polishing the Mounts of Mayhem content. The development team has indicated that additional game drops are planned, and the new version numbering system starting in 2026 will make tracking updates easier for the entire community.

For now, this hotfix ensures that the Mounts of Mayhem experience runs smoothly across all platforms. Whether you're taming new mounts, exploring with the improved Spear, or chasing achievements, Minecraft 1.21.131 provides a more stable foundation for your adventures.

Play Minecraft right here, right now!

Minecraft 1.21.131 brings Spear improvements and critical bug fixes to Bedrock Edition.

Best Steam Deck Winter Sale Deals @ 2Game!

The 2Game Winter Sale is kicking off proper on December 18, at 7 PM CET, and that means we've got just a few short days to prepare you, our dear readers, for the big event. The sale is going to last a fair bit of time, with it running until January 5 (2026, obviously), but it's still going to pay off for you to be aware of what's what and what's not.

Today's frontliner, then, is one of our favorite modern gaming devices: the Steam Deck! Down below, we've assembled a short-ish, but comprehensive list of must-play 2Game Winter Sale games that run phenomenally well on Valve's gaming handheld.

Choices range from some truly tip-top modern 3D platformers to reflex-based beat 'em up titles and excellent Metroidvanias, so we genuinely think we've got something for everyone on this list. Remember: the deals go live on the 18th (in two days' time as of writing this article), but bookmark this article and go back to it then, and use the links we've attached in each game's header to actually purchase them on the cheap. Have fun!

Penny's Big Breakaway @45% off

Developed by the Evening Star team behind Sonic Mania, Penny's Big Breakaway is one of the finest 3D platformers to hit PC in recent memory. The game follows a street performer and her sentient, snack-obsessed yo-yo as they flee the Emperor's penguin army across vibrant, fluorescent stages. The focus here is all about momentum and flow, with a yo-yo-based moveset that encourages you to chain dashes, swings, and spins into increasingly stylish combos. It runs like a dream on the Steam Deck, hitting a buttery 60fps (or even 90fps on OLED) with no adjustments required. If you've been itching for something to fill that Super Mario Odyssey void, this is it.

Cult of the Lamb @50% off

Devolver Digital's Cult of the Lamb might be one of the most unique indie games to come out in years, blending adorable woodland aesthetics with dark humour and genuinely satisfying gameplay. You play as a possessed lamb building a devoted cult while dungeon-crawling through procedurally generated areas to slay heretic bosses. The base-building is surprisingly deep, and the roguelite combat, while simpler than something like Hades, remains fun throughout. It runs flawlessly on Steam Deck, and the pick-up-and-play structure makes it perfect for portable sessions. With its Unholy Alliance co-op expansion now available, there's never been a better time to start your own woodland cult.

Carrion @70% off

Ever wanted to play as the monster in a horror movie? Carrion by Phobia Game Studio lets you do exactly that. This reverse-horror Metroidvania puts you in control of an amorphous, tentacled creature of unknown origin as it tears through a research facility, consuming scientists and acquiring devastating new abilities along the way. The pixel art is gorgeous, the movement feels fantastic, and there's a primal satisfaction to slithering through vents and smashing through walls. It's Steam Deck Verified and runs without a hitch, making it an ideal choice for quick, gory sessions on the go. At 70% off, we're struggling to think of a reason not to pick this one up.

V Rising @50% off

V Rising left early access in May 2024, and Stunlock Studios delivered on nearly every front. This vampire survival game combines Valheim-style base building with Diablo-esque isometric combat, wrapped up in an atmospheric gothic world that's genuinely a joy to explore. You'll hunt bosses, steal their powers, build a castle worthy of your undead bloodline, and manage an army of thralls. The 1.0 release added official controller support, making it play beautifully on Steam Deck with cloud saves syncing between handheld and desktop. Whether you're going solo or teaming up with friends on a private server, this is one of the best survival crafting experiences around.

Bionic Bay @40% off

If you loved Limbo and Inside but wished they were faster and more physics-driven, Bionic Bay is calling your name. This atmospheric puzzle-platformer tasks you with escaping an ancient biomechanical world using an innovative swap mechanic that lets you exchange positions with marked objects. The pixel art is stunning, the puzzles are clever, and the speedrun-friendly design means there's plenty of replay value once you've mastered the basics. It runs flawlessly on the Steam Deck, earning high praise as one of the best platformers available on the device. Comparisons to Portal aren't thrown around lightly, but this one genuinely earns them.

Cat Quest 3 @75% off

Cat Quest 3 takes the adorable action RPG formula of its predecessors and sails it straight into pirate territory. You'll explore the Purribean archipelago, battling Pi-rats, collecting treasure, and upgrading your very own ship in a swashbuckling adventure packed with cat puns. The combat is accessible and satisfying, the world is gorgeous, and the whole thing runs beautifully on Steam Deck with a low power draw that lets you squeeze in longer play sessions. It's perfect for families or anyone looking for a cozy, charming RPG that doesn't demand 100 hours of their life. At 75% off, this is an absolute steal.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 @20% off

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might just be the biggest indie success story of 2025, and for good reason. This turn-based RPG from Sandfall Interactive blends traditional JRPG mechanics with real-time dodges, parries, and counterattacks in a way that feels genuinely revolutionary. The setting, inspired by Belle Époque France, is hauntingly beautiful, and the story about a group of expeditioners trying to stop a mysterious figure from painting death onto the world is absolutely gripping. It's demanding on the Steam Deck, but recent updates have improved performance significantly. At just 20% off, it's still a premium purchase, but we can genuinely say it's worth every cent.

SIFU @75% off

Sloclap's SIFU remains one of the best beat 'em ups ever made, and at 75% off, there's no excuse not to experience it. This brutal martial arts revenge story features an aging mechanic that sees your character grow older and more powerful with each death, trading health for damage output until you're eventually too old to resurrect. The combat is tight, stylish, and unbelievably satisfying once it clicks. Difficulty options and free content updates like the Arenas expansion have made it more accessible over time, and it's Steam Deck Verified with excellent performance. If you've ever wanted to live out your kung fu movie fantasies, this is the one.

Ultros @60% off

Ultros is a psychedelic Metroidvania unlike anything else on the market. Set inside a cosmic uterus called the Sarcophagus, you'll explore a hand-painted alien world filled with strange creatures and mind-bending puzzles. The art direction is genuinely jaw-dropping, and the game's focus on gardening and ecosystem management adds a unique twist to the exploration formula. It's weird, it's beautiful, and it's absolutely worth playing if you're looking for something that breaks the mould. It runs well on Steam Deck and makes for a memorable portable experience that you won't find anywhere else.

Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader @60% off

If you've been waiting for a meaty CRPG to sink your teeth into, Warhammer 40K: Rogue Trader from Owlcat Games is here to deliver. This turn-based tactical RPG lets you captain a voidship across the Koronus Expanse, recruiting companions, making galaxy-shaping decisions, and engaging in brutal turn-based combat. It's dense, lore-rich, and packed with the kind of player agency that fans of Pathfinder and Baldur's Gate crave. It's a demanding game on the Steam Deck, so expect to tweak some settings, but the experience translates surprisingly well to handheld play for those willing to make adjustments.

The Plucky Squire @50% off

The Plucky Squire is one of those games that makes you smile just looking at it. This action-adventure title from All Possible Futures follows Jot, a storybook hero who discovers he can leap between 2D pages and the 3D world beyond. The dimension-hopping puzzles are creative, the art style is utterly charming, and the whole thing oozes personality. It's family-friendly without being condescending, making it a great choice for players of all ages. Steam Deck performance is solid, and the varied gameplay keeps things fresh throughout its runtime. If you're after something joyful and inventive, look no further.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night @75% off

Koji Igarashi's spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night remains one of the best Metroidvanias available, and at 75% off, it's an easy recommendation. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night features everything fans of the genre love: intricate level design, a vast arsenal of weapons and abilities, and that unmistakable gothic atmosphere. The shard system gives you incredible build variety, and post-launch updates have added new playable characters and game modes. It's Steam Deck Verified and runs beautifully, making it an essential purchase for anyone who hasn't yet explored its demon-infested castle.

Knights in Tight Spaces @35% off

Knights in Tight Spaces takes the tactical deckbuilding of Slay the Spire and mashes it up with the brutal, positional combat of John Wick Hex. You'll guide your knight through turn-based encounters, playing cards to punch, kick, and shove enemies off buildings while positioning yourself to avoid incoming attacks. The minimalist art style is clean and readable, and the strategic depth is impressive for such a pick-up-and-play package. It's perfectly suited for Steam Deck, where short runs fit naturally into portable play sessions. If you're looking for something tactically satisfying with a unique hook, this is it.

Inkulinati @70% off

Ever wanted to play a medieval manuscript come to life? Inkulinati is a turn-based strategy game where you draw creatures straight out of historical marginalia to battle on parchment battlefields. The art style is utterly unique, the humour is surprisingly sharp, and there's a real depth to the strategic layer beneath the silly exterior. It's the kind of game that makes you appreciate how creative the indie scene can be when given room to breathe. Steam Deck performance is excellent, and at 70% off, it's a wonderfully weird addition to any library.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning - Fate Edition @75% off

Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning is a sprawling action RPG that never quite got the recognition it deserved back in 2012. This remaster polishes up the visuals, includes all DLC, and delivers one of the most satisfying combat systems in the genre. The world is massive, the class system is flexible, and the lore, crafted by R.A. Salvatore, is genuinely interesting. The Fate Edition bundles in the newer Fatesworn expansion, giving you even more content to explore. It runs well on Steam Deck and offers dozens of hours of quality RPG gameplay at a bargain price. If you missed it the first time around, now's your chance.

And oh hey, if you need more Steam Deck-related content, we highly recommend this handy little guide on how to massively improve the device's (visual) frame-rate using Lossless Scaling! We've also taken the time to set the correct expectations for Valve's upcoming Steam Machine compared to the Deck, which you're bound to find interesting if you're on the fence about these devices. Otherwise, stay tuned for lots more Winter Sale, Steam Deck, and gaming-at-large content right here at 2Game, with heaps of awesome deals strewn around willy-nilly. More good stuff is coming, we promise!

2Game’s Winter Sale brings incredible Steam Deck deals, from SIFU to Cult of the Lamb. Here are the best games to grab before January 5, 2026!

STALKER 2: Stories Untold – Out Now, But What Is It?

A smarter and funnier person than I would probably have a joke here ready to go about how we pushed a major STALKER 2 mod article just hours before GSC Game World and Sony announced STALKER 2: Stories Untold, but we'll leave that for a different time. Do check that article out as it's obviously still pertinent, but today, we'll tell you all about Stories Untold: what it's about, what content it includes, and why now's the time to play.

We're not joking here, either! Announced literally mere hours after we published our list of must-play STALKER 2 mods for the end of 2025, the free Stories Untold content pack is the single biggest update the game has yet received. Signifying the recent release of STALKER 2 on PlayStation 5, the details about this free content drop were first published on Sony's own PlayStation blog, and we've got all of it summarized and explained below.

EDIT: STALKER 2: Stories Untold has been pushed back until December 18 for a bonus polish pass!

EDIT #2: STALKER 2: Stories Untold has just received a surprise release on Steam... so go and play it.

Play STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl this Winter Season!

STALKER-2-Stories-Untold1

STALKER 2: Stories Untold Explained

One of STALKER 2's biggest ongoing mysteries is the eerie and disturbing radio frequency you might've heard if you traveled towards old Lymansk from the new STC Malachite base towards the western part of the map. Now, Stories Untold is absolutely not an explanation of what's going down in Lymansk... but it seems all but obvious its own story is related to it, potentially setting up STALKER 2's first paid expansion pack sometime in 2026.

STALKER 2: Stories Untold takes off as strange phenomena begins to manifest around Malachite proper. Headaches, nosebleeds, hallucinations, PDA interference... you name it, it's happening, and it's got something to do with the Red Forest. This is where all-new characters like Professor Medulin and Banzai come into the picture: a scientist and a radio enthusiast respectively, who will work with you to figure out what's causing all these newfangled disturbances.

Crucially, Stories Untold adds a host of new locations for us to explore! GSC has been coy about what's new and what's changed, but the hard numbers are impressive for sure:

We do know that some places are entirely new, and others - like the Army Warehouses and Volkhov SAM - will have received a slight revamp to accommodate new NPCs, Stalker and otherwise.

One of the reasons why exploration of the western region of STALKER 2's map has been a pain is the lack of a proper hub with traders, technicians, and guides nearby. That's all changing in Stories Untold, but only if you work for it.

For the first time ever, a STALKER game is getting its own semi-custom expandable hub location, and the quests released as part of Stories Untold will allow Skif to slowly build up a new base in the Burnt Forest region. Not something we expected to see, but it's very much welcome, that's for sure.

All in all, then, Stories Untold is shaping up to be the definitive STALKER 2 content update for 2025, but we don't know yet if it includes update 1.8 or not. For that, do stay tuned. We're sorry to report that none of the old guns from the old STALKER games of yore are featured in this update, though: no SG550, no LR-300, or any of the pistols. All in due time, we suppose: at least we're finally getting a unique, SOFMOD-style variant of the G36!

Of course, you can still check out the official PlayStation post if you'd like to pore over all the details, but we'll have more STALKER-related content going up on the site as well, so do stay tuned. If you were ever remotely interested in playing STALKER 2, it's plainly obvious by now that this is the time to finally jump in. So do!

Play STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl this Winter Season!

STALKER 2: Stories Untold is the game’s first major content update, and it’s totally free for all players!

Bradley the Badger: The Mascot Platformer That Breaks the Game to Save It

There’s a moment in the newly announced Bradley the Badger where the illusion completely collapses. Textures give up. The world admits it’s unfinished. Sticky notes replace stone walls. And a cartoon badger, clutching a frying pan, realizes his home has become someone else’s abandoned project.

That moment tells you almost everything you need to know: Bradley the Badger is an upcoming bold, playful, deeply self-aware action-adventure that treats video game development as the ultimate playground.

So… What Is Bradley the Badger?

Some games want you to save the world. Bradley the Badger wants you to fix it.

Revealed during The Game Awards 2025, Bradley the Badger quietly became one of the most talked-about pre-show surprises. It’s an upcoming action-adventure from Day 4 Night, a new studio founded by veteran developers Davide Soliani (Mario + Rabbids) and Christian Cantamessa (Red Dead Redemption). Currently slated for PC via Steam with no launch date announced, the game stars a cartoon badger with a frying pan. But that’s just the surface hook.

A Mascot Who Woke Up Too Late

Main character Bradley is introduced as a beloved video game icon, even though it’s technically his first appearance. In this way, the game assumes nostalgia. It assumes you already care. And then it pulls the rug.

Bradley wakes up in worlds that feel familiar but wrong: a gothic Soulslike filled with petrified hands and glowing blue lanterns, a neon-soaked cyberpunk city, and a grim post-apocalyptic wasteland. Each riffs on famous games, complete with parody titles like Badgerborne, Cyberbadger, and The Last Badger. The catch? These worlds are unfinished.

Textures are placeholders. Assets are tagged “WAITING FOR REVIEW.” Sticky notes litter the environment, demanding fixes. Entire levels sit in development limbo. Basically, Bradley is wandering through the creative exhaustion of an industry that never stops rebooting itself.

The Big Idea: You Don’t Break the Game — You Edit It

The defining mechanic of Bradley the Badger is The Kit. The Kit gives Bradley what the developers call game developer powers, with every unfinished object becoming an opportunity. With The Kit, you can:

Additional powers, including Copy, Gravity, Liquify, and Debug, also unlock as Bradley progresses.

The key here is freedom. Puzzles aren’t built around a single answer. Combat isn’t fenced off from traversal. Everything overlaps, encouraging experimentation and creative problem-solving. You’re essentially shaping a game that never quite shipped.

Yes, You Still Hit Things With a Frying Pan

For all the meta ambition, Bradley the Badger never forgets to be playful. Bradley can double-jump, explore, collect items, complete quests, uncover secrets, and smack enemies with his trusty frying pan.

This mix of high-concept systems paired with an unapologetically old-school weapon feels intentional. It’s a nod to PS2-era mascot platformers dropped into worlds obsessed with realism and self-seriousness.

Day 4 Night calls this duality a bridge between past and future design philosophies. One moment, you’re rearranging geometry like a level designer. The next, you’re bonking a ghoul because sometimes that’s still the right answer.

Live-Action, Self-Awareness, and Industry Satire

One of the biggest surprises is the game’s live-action segments. Bradley occasionally wakes up outside the game, portrayed by Evan Peters, who also voices him.

These scenes place Bradley in real-world development spaces, surrounded by posters, whiteboards, and half-finished ideas. It reinforces the central theme that mascots are built, rebooted, doubted, and sometimes abandoned by the people who made them.

Cantamessa has been clear about the satirical intent here, with video games being long overdue for self-parody. Comparisons to The Stanley Parable, Portal, EarthBound, and Conker’s Bad Fur Day are already circulating, and deservedly so.

Importantly, though, early impressions suggest the tone here is affectionate rather than cynical. The humor comes from experience, not resentment.

Why Bradley the Badger Stood Out at The Game Awards

The Game Awards 2025 were filled with cinematic trailers and sequel reveals, yet Bradley the Badger grabbed attention by taking a bolder, riskier approach: a confident fusion of gameplay systems and inventive ideas.

It’s a mascot platformer that hands players the tools of a developer, a sharp yet affectionate satire of the games it riffs on, and a love letter to the medium unafraid to laugh at itself. Indeed, it’s easy to see why this modest pre-show reveal sparked such a huge buzz. We'll be sure to keep you updated with the release date as soon as it drops!

You’ve got to laugh

Pragmata Game Demo is Available Now! Here’s How to Play

After five long years of trailers, delays, and cryptic teasers, Capcom has finally pulled back the curtain on Pragmata in the most satisfying way possible. The Pragmata game demo, officially titled Sketchbook, dropped during The Game Awards 2025 and gives players their first proper hands-on look at what might be one of 2026's most intriguing releases. If you've been curious about this mysterious sci-fi adventure, now is the perfect time to see what all the fuss is about.

Pre-order the Full Pragmata Game on PC Now!

What Is the Pragmata Sketchbook Demo?

The Pragmata Sketchbook demo serves as a compact but substantial preview of Capcom's upcoming action-adventure title. Clocking in at roughly 25 minutes for a standard playthrough, the demo drops players into a section of the game's lunar research station and tasks them with mastering the unique dual-character gameplay that defines the Pragmata experience.

You take control of Hugh, an astronaut navigating a hostile environment filled with rogue AI, while his android companion Diana provides tactical support from his back. We know what you're thinking, and yes, the dynamic between a space-suited protagonist and a child-like android has drawn plenty of comparisons to a certain other escort-style game. The comparison falls apart quickly once you actually play it, though.

The Hacking and Shooting Gameplay Loop

What sets Pragmata apart from other third-person action games is its simultaneous control scheme. Hugh handles all the direct combat with a variety of weapons, while Diana can hack into enemies and environmental objects to create openings, disable defenses, and turn the tide of battle. The demo lets you experiment with several tools including the Charge Piercer for devastating single-target damage, the Decoy Generator for misdirection tactics, and Diana's Multihack ability for controlling multiple targets at once.

Capcom describes this as a combat system that "engages both sides of your brain," and based on early impressions, that's not just marketing speak. Managing Hugh's positioning and gunplay while simultaneously directing Diana's hacking abilities creates a rhythm unlike anything we've seen in the genre. Think of it as patting your head and rubbing your stomach, except the stakes are robot enemies trying to tear you apart on an abandoned moon base.

Demo Performance and Optimization

Here's where the Pragmata game demo really shines. After the rocky launches of Dragon's Dogma 2 and Monster Hunter Wilds, many players approached this demo with caution. We're happy to report that Capcom's RE Engine is back to doing what it does best in enclosed, linear environments.

The demo runs remarkably well across a wide range of hardware. Players with mid-range systems are reporting smooth 60fps gameplay at 1080p with the Balanced preset, and those with beefier rigs can crank up the ray tracing without sacrificing stability. The initial shader compilation takes around five to seven minutes depending on your CPU, but once that's done, stuttering is virtually nonexistent.

According to Capcom's official demo page, the minimum requirements aim for 1080p at 45fps with the Performance preset, while recommended specs target 1080p at 60fps with Balanced settings. Ray tracing support requires at least an AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT or NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 with 12GB of VRAM.

Producer Naoto Oyama has been transparent about the demo's purpose, stating that Capcom wanted players to test the PC version ahead of launch so the team can gather feedback and optimize accordingly. This level of transparency is refreshing and suggests Capcom is serious about delivering a polished final product. Don't forget that it's running great on the Steam Deck, either, which is a promising piece of information!

Hidden Surprises and Replay Value

The Sketchbook demo isn't just a one-and-done experience, either. Capcom has tucked away several surprises that encourage multiple playthroughs. Completing the demo unlocks new weapons, items, and cosmetic options for subsequent runs, and there are gameplay paths in the demo that differ from what will appear in the final game.

Speedrun enthusiasts have already started competing for the fastest clear times, and there's a charming reward for finishing the demo. You'll receive a special illustration from Diana that Capcom encourages you to share on social media with the #PRAGMATA hashtag.

The Sketchbook demo is currently a PC exclusive, but Capcom has confirmed that PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 versions are in development. No specific dates have been announced for these console releases, so keep an eye on official channels for updates. The Switch 2 version is particularly noteworthy, as Oyama has stated the RE Engine is performing very well on Nintendo's new hardware, running on par with Resident Evil Requiem.

Download the Pragmata Sketchbook Demo here!

Play the Pragmata Demo Now!

Absolutely. Whether you've been following Pragmata since its 2020 reveal or this is your first time hearing about it, the Sketchbook demo offers a compelling taste of Capcom's vision. The hacking and shooting mechanics feel fresh, the performance is rock-solid, and the eerie atmosphere of the lunar station sets up what promises to be an emotionally engaging story.

Pragmata launches on April 24, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are live now and include exclusive Neo Bushido and Neo Kunoichi costume sets for Hugh and Diana respectively. A Deluxe Edition featuring additional outfits, background music tracks, and gesture animations is also available for those who want the full package.

The demo has no time limit and remains available indefinitely, so there's no rush. But if you've got even a passing interest in sci-fi action games or Capcom's pedigree, this one is worth your time. And hey, after you're done with the demo, you can hop straight on over to our site to get the real deal on day one!

Pre-order the Full Pragmata Game on PC Now!

The Pragmata game demo Sketchbook is now available. Our guide covers everything you need to know about Capcom’s sci-fi adventure preview, from gameplay to performance.

STALKER 2: Three Best Mods to Try Now

We've never been shy about the fact that we love STALKER 2 here at 2Game. Despite all of its quirks, problems, and the admittedly substantial array of bugs, STALKER 2 stood out even early on as a game of plainly ridiculous potential. Now, a full year following its 1.0 release, Heart of Chornobyl is sitting pretty on build version 1.7.1, and it's a far superior - albeit far from perfect - experience. And hey, we can make that experience even better still with just a few mods in tow.

Now, a big caveat we need to point out right at the start is that some of the mods featured on this list make it necessary to start an entirely new save/playthrough in STALKER 2. We understand that might be a step too far for some, naturally, and if you'd like to avoid that simply ignore the mod in question. You'll be missing out on some very big improvements and feature-level additions in doing so, but still. Let's get to it: here are the three best mods for STALKER 2 in late 2025!

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Shay's Living Zone

Oh man, Shay's Living Zone is effectively a must-have for us now: even more so than any other mod on this list. Featuring a huge array of modifications and improvements to STALKER 2's A-Life systems, Living Zone makes the game feel much more natural, lived-in, and logical wherever you go.

For starters, it rebalances the game's regions to accommodate different stalker tiers depending on what makes sense. To that end, the Lesser Zone and Cordon will spawn a variety of NPCs ranging from Newbie all the way to Veteran, while the Burnt Forest only features Master-level stalkers for example. It's a very sensible and lore-friendly way of balancing stuff out, and you'll find it extremely handy in our experience.

Shay's Living Zone also supercharges STALKER 2's basic A-Life director, allowing stalker squads to go wherever they please. It supports up to a whopping 1000 simulated online and offline NPCs, and adds natural behaviors to their schedules. Stalkers will, for example, stick closer to the roads most times, while mutants may choose to roam through the underbrush instead of bee-lining it to certain death.

Also expect to come across roaming traders, NPCs with previously rare dialogue options, and a huge array of other, much-needed quality-of-life improvements across the board. It's good stuff, truly.

Download Shay's Living Zone mod for STALKER 2 now!

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STALKER Unlimited

Whereas Shay's Living Zone is a relatively light touch far as gameplay systems go, STALKER Unlimited is very much not. This mod is a comprehensive overhaul of the game's economy, introducing a huge variety of loot and valuables to both stalkers and mutants as you come across them. In hard numbers, you get the following:

STALKER Unlimited also rebalances all artifacts, and makes anomalies far more dangerous than they were before. It also removes helmets from the vast majority of armors that previously had them integrated, allowing players to mix and match however they see fit. It's a ridiculously massive mod that affects every aspect of the game and, as such, necessitates the start of a new playthrough to really have it come into its own.

Really though, this mod alone is worth your attention, but combined with all the other stuff we have on this list... boy howdy, you've got STALKER 2 2.0 at hand already!

Download STALKER Unlimited mod for STALKER 2 now!

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OXA

Our final of the Big Three is STALKER 2's OXA mod. This one is crucial for the variety of items it adds to weapons in our book, but whether you go for OXA proper or the more experimental OXA Prototype version is the big question.

Basically, the way it works is that the regular STALKER 2 OXA makes all attachments compatible with all weapons in the game... to a sensible level. You still need to source your own rails, but if there's a Picatinny on a gun, it's going to fit that ACOG for sure. OXA also adds a number of all-new attachments: all the modern holo-sights you could wish for are in, as well as some of the ones you completely forgot about. The added variety alone is a huge boon, but if you want to take things a step further, OXA Prototype is for you.

STALKER 2's OXA Prototype is a full rework of how gun upgrades and customization work. It makes weapon maintenance crucial via the application of gun oils and whatnot, while technician-based repairs become prohibitively expensive. You now need to find your own parts and install them via the admittedly clumsy OXA PDA, but this opens up customization to a ridiculous level. That crummy 416 can now take a whole assortment of barrel types, stocks, grips, and customization modules, allowing you to build it out into exactly the kind of gun you want.

If you're not into this kind of added complexity, definitely stick with the basic OXA mod, but if you're yearning for more customization at any cost, we cannot recommend OXA Prototype enough. This mod, too, necessitates the start of a whole new save however, but the basic OXA should work on regular playthroughs as well due to its more limited and contained nature.

Download the OXA mod for STALKER 2 now!

Other Assorted STALKER 2 Mods to Install, Stat

Aside from the Big Three, though, there's a whole assortment of other mods we also recommend for an optimum playing experience. Here they are, in no particular order, with a small blurb on what makes each such a big must-have in our book. We've even set them up in a neat little table for your viewing pleasure!

Mod TitleFeatures
Project Itemization RebornA massive expansion of available loot items in the game, featuring many usable bits and bobs, like the lighter.
Ledge GrabbingMakes it easier to climb and vault over STALKER 2's various waist-high cover.
Weapon Reposition ProjectRepositions each weapon's FOV model to make it easier to see over it during gameplay. Also makes them more interesting to look at!
Better BallisticsA comprehensive rework of STALKER 2's ballistics systems.
Lower Mutant HealthJust do yourself a favor and halve the Bloodsuckers' health pools already.
Modular Day Length, Carry Weight, and Repair CostAllows you to make the in-game days and nights as short or long as you want them to be: we recommend the two-hour setting!
Iron Sight OverhaulAdds some tritium/fiber optic sights to almost every weapon in the game, making them much, much more useful without optics attached.
NPC Combat OverhaulReworks the NPCs' combat AI to be more realistic and aggressive at all ranges, makes combat much more interesting.

By the time you've got all of these mods set up, your STALKER 2 experience will be substantially better but without actually removing or massively reworking any aspect of the core gameplay loop. All of these mods simply build upon GSC Game World's working basics to improve them, and the end result is absolutely phenomenal.

Uh, quite buggy still at times - but of course - but absolutely phenomenal still.

Once again, we do want to mention that OXA Prototype will not work if you don't start a new playthrough alongside it. Same goes for Project Itemization Reborn, as it spawns its massive assortment of items upon the start of a new game. Both of these mods are still very much work-in-progress, of course, but they've massively improved the game's core loot and progression loop, and they're effectively integral to the experience for us by now.

So do give them a shot, and consider this the signal to start playing STALKER 2 this winter if you haven't yet. You can grab your copy right here at 2Game, in fact: we're neat and helpful like that.

And hey, if you're still playing the waiting game with STALKER 2, why not give the free STALKER: GAMMA standalone mod a shot instead? We've got a proper guide waiting for you right here at the 2Game community blog!

Play STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl this Winter Season!

As 2025 wraps up, STALKER 2 is better than ever before. Its modding community, too, is phenomenal, and we’ve got three best mods to prove it!

Werner Herzog and Warframe: What’s the Connection?

When you think of Werner Herzog, images of daring expeditions, human obsession, and that grave, hypnotic voice that seems to peer into the soul of existence probably come to mind. Now imagine that voice guiding you through the sprawling, futuristic battlefields of Warframe. That’s exactly what happened in the recent Wake Up, Tenno trailer. Herzog, the cinematic auteur behind Grizzly Man and Fitzcarraldo, lent his narration to one of gaming’s most enduring free-to-play sci-fi universes in a one-off trailer appearance. The result? A collision of philosophy and action that feels both strange and entirely fitting.

The Voice of “The Indifference”/"The Man in the Wall"

Digital Extremes’ recent trailer, Wake Up, Tenno, premiered at The Game Awards 2025 and features Herzog as an enigmatic character called The Indifference. While Herzog didn’t appear physically in the trailer, his narration transforms the lore-heavy universe of Warframe into something profoundly compelling. The story of the Tenno—warriors awoken from centuries of suspended animation into an interstellar war—takes on new weight under his voice, with each line drawing attention to the human core amid the game’s vast, mechanical, and often chaotic worlds.

Warframe creative director Rebecca Ford called Herzog’s contribution a “totally fresh perspective,” praising his ability to highlight the game’s strange beauty while illuminating its human dimension.

Why Herzog? Why Now?

After more than 13 years of evolving content, Warframe’s universe can be intimidating, even for veteran Tenno. Enter Herzog: a storyteller obsessed with human resilience, futility, and the sublime. Themes that mirror Warframe’s focus on survival, adaptation, and discovery.

His presence signals a statement: Warframe is more than a game; it’s a living mythos. One that can be appreciated not only for its mechanics but for its narrative and emotional depth. Choosing Herzog reflects the studio’s willingness to experiment with tone, blending high art with high-tech action in a way few games dare.

Experiencing Warframe Through Herzog

Herzog’s narration transforms how you engage with Warframe. The mechanical clashes of Warframes and the chaos of interstellar combat gain a reflective dimension. Missions feel like small acts of resilience against an indifferent universe, a recurring theme in Herzog’s work.

Even the visuals of The Old Peace, the latest narrative chapter, feel more cinematic when paired with his voice. Sprawling planets, open worlds, and intimate combat moments acquire a subtle weight. It’s a reminder that Warframe’s universe is enormous, mysterious, and alive, with stories behind every laser blast and Warframe leap.

Werner Herzog and Warframe - A Perfect Match

Herzog’s connection to Warframe is a meeting of two art forms: the contemplative gaze of a filmmaker examining the edge of human experience, and a game universe grounded in evolution, survival, and discovery. The gameplay doesn't change, but his narration changes the way you see the game.

For Tenno old and new, the message is clear: wake up, suit up, and listen. Because behind the loot and combat lies philosophy, poetry, and the unmistakable stamp of Werner Herzog. It’s quite the coup for a game trailer.

A perfect match

The Game Awards 2025 All Winners: The Full Breakdown

The Game Awards 2025 delivered exactly what everyone expected: surprises, upsets, big swings, and one absolute juggernaut sweeping the show. This year will be remembered as the night Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 planted its flag and refused to let go, dominating category after category with an almost historic run.

From blockbuster reveals to emotional wins, here’s the complete rundown of every trophy handed out at the Peacock Theater, with all the winners front and center.

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The Game Awards 2025 All Winners:

Major Category Winners

As you'll see, Expedition 33 didn’t just have a good night; it had the night:

Technical & Creative Excellence

Genre Winners

Indie & Debut Awards

Mobile, VR & Ongoing

Adaptations, Anticipation & Community Picks

Esports Highlights

Creator & Special Awards

A Night Owned by Expedition 33

2025’s ceremony was a coronation. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 walked away as the defining game of the year, sweeping categories from narrative to music to performance. Whether 2026 can top this level of momentum is a question for another day, but one thing’s clear: This was Expedition 33’s night, and if you haven't yet played this outstanding Game Of The Year, you should!

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A night to remember!

Highguard: Everything We Know About Wildlight Entertainment’s New PvP Raid Shooter

The Game Awards 2025 closed out with a genuine surprise: Highguard, a fantasy-infused PvP raid shooter from Wildlight Entertainment. We weren't expecting this one, and neither was anyone else. The game managed to stay completely under wraps during its four-year development, making its debut all the more impactful. Is there room for folks to care about one more of these games, though? One way to find out, we suppose...

Highguard is a free-to-play PvP raid shooter where players take on the role of Wardens, described by Wildlight as "arcane gunslingers sent to fight for control of a mythical continent." The premise centres on crews of Wardens battling for possession of the Shieldbreaker, an artifact used to breach enemy defences before summoning massive siege engines to raze opposing bases.

This is explicitly not a battle royale or extraction shooter, keep in mind. The focus here is purely on coordinated squad-based raids, with teams working together to infiltrate and destroy enemy strongholds. Think Destiny 2 raids meeting Titanfall gunplay, all wrapped in a high-fantasy aesthetic complete with mounted combat. Sounds great but how does it work in practice? We've got all the info here, and on top of that, it's not a long wait we've got ahead of us.

Who Is Making Highguard?

Wildlight Entertainment was founded by veterans who worked on Apex Legends and Titanfall at Respawn Entertainment. The studio comprises 61 former Respawn developers and has been building Highguard in secret for four years.

At the helm are co-founder and CEO Dusty Welch alongside co-founder and game director Chad Grenier. The team's pedigree speaks for itself, having shaped some of the most influential shooters of the past decade.

"We're a veteran team who've spent years together, creating some of the biggest hits in gaming, including Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Titanfall," Welch stated. "With our first game, we are hyper-focused on creating a new gaming universe of similarly epic scale and quality."

Grenier added: "We created Wildlight because we wanted a game studio where design leads and new games can be built without compromise. Our time on Apex Legends and Titanfall taught us a lot about what it takes to build and sustain a successful franchise."

Gameplay: Guns, Spells, and Horseback Combat

The reveal trailer was refreshingly gameplay-focused, showing off Highguard's core mechanics in action. Here's what we can expect:

Movement and Traversal: Wall-running makes a return, clearly drawing from the Titanfall playbook. Players can also destroy walls to open new flanking routes. Most striking is the addition of mounts for rapid traversal between objectives. You can fight on horseback or on foot across what appear to be massive, detailed maps.

The Warden Classes: Each Warden brings a distinct flavour to combat, mixing firearms with arcane abilities. The trailer showcased various skills, from knife throws to what looked like literally ripping out opponents' hearts. Expect class-based teamplay where spells and gunplay intertwine for chaotic engagements.

Siege Warfare: Once your crew secures the Shieldbreaker, you breach the enemy shield and call in massive siege engines to assault their base. The trailer featured one particularly memorable moment: a colossal castle-sized tank with a lion's head mounted on the front. This isn't subtle warfare.

Visual Variety: Wildlight is clearly playing to its strengths when it comes to environmental design. The trailer moved between ancient castles, underground mines, and various other striking locations. The high-fantasy setting allows for a visual identity that stands apart from the military sci-fi shooters dominating the market.

The Final Curtain

The reveal kept certain details close to the chest. We don't have a definitive breakdown of the Warden roster or their specific abilities. The exact team sizes for raids remain unconfirmed, though reports suggest squads of three to four players. How Wildlight plans to handle monetisation in their F2P model is also unclear.

The studio has indicated more details will be revealed throughout January ahead of launch. Pre-registration should open soon via their official site at wildlight.gg.

The gaming community's response has been mixed. Some praised the fresh fantasy take on competitive shooters and Wildlight's proven pedigree. Others expressed disappointment that TGA's final reveal wasn't a more established franchise, with unflattering comparisons to Concord floating around social media.

That said, Highguard has several factors working in its favour: the team's track record, a distinctive visual identity, and a near-immediate release window that means players can judge for themselves very soon. Whether it becomes the next breakout multiplayer phenomenon or finds a dedicated niche audience remains to be seen.

Highguard launches on January 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC via Steam. That's less than seven weeks from its TGA announcement, a remarkably tight window that suggests Wildlight has been polishing this one for quite some time. It's not Half-Life, but hey, there's still potential here.

Highguard is a new free-to-play PvP raid shooter from ex-Titanfall and Apex Legends developers. Here’s everything we know about its January 2026 release.