CoD BO7 missions list: How many missions are in the main campaign?
Your missions, should you choose to accept them...
While the multiplayer, Zombies and Warzone always get the spotlight, there are still plenty of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 missions to complete in the game's campaign. This year's campaign, which can be completed solo or co-op, includes a star-studded cast, with the likes of Milo Ventimiglia (Gilmore Girls, This Is Us), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy) joining the fray. So, if you're wondering how many CoD BO7 missions there are to take on in this year's campaign, here's the full list of campaign missions and the campaign rewards to boot. How many missions are in the CoD BO7 campaign? There are 11 missions in the CoD BO7 campaign, we can confirm now that the game is out. There's should be enough here to keep you busy for a few hours but, of course, you'll probably spend much longer playing Multiplayer and Zombies over the course of the next year. That being said, Activision as envisioned a new endgame experience to keep you in a campaign mood for a while longer, so let's see how that goes down before we uninstall the campaign altogether. View Green Video on the source website Full list of CoD BO7 campaign missions The full list of CoD BO7 campaign missions looks like this: Exposure Inside Distortion Escalation Disruption Collapse Fracture Quarantine Suppression Breakpoint Containment Keep on reading and we'll explain the rewards that you'll receive for each of those missions. CoD BO7 campaign rewards You'll earn 5000 XP for each mission in the CoD BO7 campaign (that's 55,000 XP in total, if you were wondering) – but that's not all! The full list of CoD BO7 campaign rewards goes like this: Exposure - rewards with 5000 XP and the Irides One weapon blueprint Inside - rewards with 5000 XP and the Ratted Out decal Distortion - rewards with 5000 XP and the Phantom weapon blueprint Escalation - rewards with 5000 XP and the Sniper, No Sniping emblem Disruption - rewards with 5000 XP and the Lock-In Shock emote Collapse - rewards with 5000 XP and the Wing Clipper weapon charm Fracture - rewards with 5000 XP and the It's A Clap finishing move Quarantine - rewards with 5000 XP and the Guilded Tower loading screen Suppression - rewards with 5000 XP and the Razerfire Vertex weapon blueprint Breakpoint - rewards with 5000 XP and the Bot Buster equipment skin Containment - rewards with 5000 XP and the Grounded operator skin And that's all you need to know! Stay tuned for more CoD BO7 guides from us in the next few weeks. Read more: Will CoD BO7 have SBMM? Skill-based matchmaking decision confirmed CoD BO7 Zombies mode: Confirmed maps and what to expect Yellowstone boss revealed to be working on epic Call of Duty movie adaptation – full details here Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
What's the best video game adaptation of 2025?
Have a look at the nominees for The Golden Joystick Awards on Thursday 20 November
What's the best video game adaptation of 2025? Radio Times Gaming has teamed up with The Golden Joystick Awards to answer just that question. And after some difficult deliberations, it has been narrowed down to the following six nominees. To see which has come out on top, you can watch the gong-giving ceremony live on the GamesRadar YouTube channel on Thursday 20 November.
CoD BO7 Monster Energy promo: All rewards and how to get them explained
What's that coming over the hill, is it a Monster Energy promotional event for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7?
Is it that time of year again already? Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 has launched into the world, and, right on queue, CoD's annual collaboration with Monster Energy has kicked into gear. Yep, that's right. Monster has teamed up with CoD again and you can pick up some decent rewards if you're willing to pick up one of those black and green cans at your local shop. So, what's up for grabs this year and how do you go about redeeming any goodies you're entitled to? Keep on reading and we'll get straight to it. When is the CoD BO7 Monster Energy event? The CoD BO7 Monster Energy event is live now, and it will run until 31st March 2026. So, there's no massive rush on getting involved, but there's also nothing stopping you from cracking on and earning all of these rewards sooner rather than later. But how do you go about redeeming them? That's the next thing we're going to explain. View Green Video on the source website How to redeem CoD BO7 Monster rewards To process to earn and redeem CoD BO7 Monster Energy rewards goes like this: Buy a can of Monster Energy and find the code under the ring pull Head to the Redeem section on the Monster website Create an account and log into it On the Redeem page, enter the code from the can This will be converted into an Activision code When prompted, head to the Call of Duty website and enter your new code If you see the 'Success' screen, well done! You should receive your rewards next time you open the game And that's all their is to it! But what exactly is up for grabs here? Let's get to that, shall we? Full list of CoD BO7 Monster Energy rewards The full list of rewards for the Monster Energy promo in CoD BO7 is as follows: One can — Large Monster Decal and Double XP for 15 minutes Two cans — Peacekeeper MK1 Hyper Green weapon blueprint and Double XP for 15 minutes Three cans — Green Fury operator skin and Double XP for 15 minutes Four cans — VS Recon Green Thunder weapon blueprint and Double XP for 15 minutes Five cans — Daylight Ripper operator skin and Double XP for 15 minutes Basically, there is lots of double XP time up for grabs here as well as a few other goodies to deck out your in-game avatar with. What's not to like? If you're looking for more rewards, remember that you can earn a few by completing the CoD BO7 campaign missions! Read more: Will CoD BO7 have SBMM? Skill-based matchmaking decision confirmed CoD BO7 Zombies mode: Confirmed maps and what to expect Yellowstone boss revealed to be working on epic Call of Duty movie adaptation – full details here Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Fallout season 2 trailer leaves fans convinced they've spotted a famous voice from the games
Fallout fans believe they've spotted a very familiar face/voice in the epic new trailer for Fallout season 2 on Amazon Prime Video. If these viewers are correct, they've successfully identified an actor from Fallout season 2 who is yet to be announced – who has been known to Fallout game fans since all the way back in 1997 (when the first game in the iconic RPG series came out). "Well, then," says the mysterious voice, at one minute and 10 seconds into the new trailer, who appears to be speaking to Walton Goggins's The Ghoul. The unseen speaker adds, ominously: "You're going to need friends. There's a war coming..." The voice sounds like it has been put through a filter of some kind, but fans in the comments have wasted no time in guessing who it could be that's joining Ella Purnell in the cast. View oEmbed on the source website So, who could that mysterious voice belong to? Fans have been discussing the possibility that it could be none other than Hellboy movie star Ron Perlman, who has lent his voice to the Fallout video games since their very inception. As a fan called NerdPixelz noted in the YouTube comments under the official trailer, "Dude!...don't toy with me, is that Ron Perlman playing a super mutant?!?! Definitely sounds like him (even with the voice modifier)" One fan swiftly replied: "That'd be awesome!" "I would cry in a good way," another fan added. "It does sound like him! It would be full Circle for him," came yet another response. Fallout fans will need no reminding that Perlman provided scene-setting narration for Fallout, Fallout 2, Fallout 3, Fallout: New Vegas, Fallout 76 and Fallout Tactics, as well as having character roles in Fallout 4 (where he played a newsreader) and the original Fallout (where he played Butch Harris). To bring Perlman into the Fallout TV adaptation would be a great piece of fan service, so we're strongly hoping that this rumour is true! And is he really playing a Super Mutant? Or could he be another Ghoul, or a human character? Or could he be reprising one of his previous roles? Only time will tell, but we look forward to finding out. Fallout season 2 will arrive on 17th December on Prime Video. Sign up for a 30-day free trial of Prime Video and pay £8.99 a month after that. Read more on Fallout: Walton Goggins is coming to Fallout 76: "We don't really explain why he's there" Who is Justin Theroux playing in Fallout season 2? Robert House character explained Macaulay Culkin announced for mysterious Fallout season 2 role Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How The Outer Worlds 2 fixed a 30-year old development problem
"Each conversation is kind of like a puzzle."
Obsidian's The Outer Worlds 2 been out for about a week. You've probably played a good few hours already, which means you will have seen — without knowing it — the answer to a 30-year problem that the developers have finally solved. On the eve of the game's launch, I caught up with The Outer Worlds 2 creative director, Leonard Boyarsky, to find out how far the franchise has come since its debut entry. You can watch the whole interview in the video player above. We get into all sorts of varied topics in the chat. Starting again in a new colony means new planets and new companions, but has the idea of what exactly The Outer Worlds is calcified since the first game? Boyarsky had a lot to say on that. And with missable companions to look for and killable NPCs to contend with, does Boyarsky have any tips to help guide players through? Check out the full video to find out (it's also available on our YouTube channel). S0, what about that 30-year problem? Well, I'd seen on Rock Paper Shotgun that Fallout legend Tim Cain had been praising the Outer Worlds 2 developers for having "figured out" something he'd been struggling with as far back as 1995. Cain was quoted as saying: "I not only told him how impressed I was, I found my notes from 28 years before. I said, 'Let me read you a few lines from a production meeting in July of '95…'" So, sitting down over Zoom with Boyarsky — who also worked on Fallout back in the day, as far back as the first game in the franchise — I couldn't help but ask. What was the problem that you guys solved in The Outer Worlds 2? Do you know what Cain had been referring to? View oEmbed on the source website Boyarsky told us: "I would guess it has to do with the fact that we are, and of course my focus is, you know, story and tone and that stuff. So, I might be looking at it through that lens... "But I feel like one of the things we did here, that we've struggled with in the past a lot, is, like, when choices come up, for instance, if you've done something earlier in the game that has limited your choices, if we don't find a way to telegraph to you that that is what's happening, it feels like that's just how the game plays out. "So what we did in this one [is] you can see the lines you can't pick, you could see what you haven't done. And that also gives us the ability to give you a hint. "Like, 'Oh, I'm missing a speech line here, and I'm really close. 'cause I could see, I just need to put another point or two in there. I'm going to exit this conversation and go level up before I come back here and try to have this conversation.' "Or if you don't have any chance in hell of making it, you still know that, like, 'Oh, there was a speech thing I could have done here.' "And a lot of times it has to do with like, 'Oh, I didn't find the information I needed to, I didn't do this other quest, or I did this other quest in a way that is not allowing me to progress in the way that I would've maybe wanted to in this quest'. "So for me, I think that that's a step forward in terms of how we're handling showing players that, and showing players why they're getting certain lines and why they're not getting other lines." I mentioned at this point in the conversation that it does feel very satisfying in the game when you can see that, because you've done legwork and found the right information log, you've unlocked specific voice lines in a conversation. Boyarsky told us: "That was it was really tricky." He added: "We had a dossier system and we did a we did a prototype of it, and it took me a good two or three months to write a dialogue for it. And we're talking one or two dialogues. "Because we were like, 'Oh, everything you find is going to be tracked in this codex and you're gonna have this dossier system where you're able to kind of figure this stuff out.' "And so, it was almost like a meta game. And the problem we found with that... besides the fact that it just took too long, because it's like, okay, on top of everything else... you know, we have skills, we have different things you can get if you've done other things.. and now we have this, each conversation is kind of like a puzzle on top of that." Boyarsky continued: "That was really, really just a daunting task. "But even more than that, the big thing that I think really made us go, like, 'Okay, we need to streamline this just a little bit', is that it became a game of, like, 'I just need the information.' "This character needs to give me specific pieces of information, which are going to ding or whatever. I think they were in different colour or different font, like, it's going to ding... "And I'm like, 'Oh I know I got the information I need from this character'. So, it really changed your focus, to, like, away from the storytelling, away from the characters you were talking to, and it turned into this hunt for like that, like, 'I got what I needed out of this conversation'. "So, I feel like this, reducing it down to what we have now, I feel like was was the right move, because it still keeps you involved in the story. It still keeps you, hopefully, engaging with it. "Like, 'Yes, there's information I needed, but it's really about, you know, what's going on story-wise and what's going on with each of these characters." The Outer Worlds 2 is out now on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Series X/S, PC and PS5. You can check out the rest of this interview below. View oEmbed on the source website Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Xbox Game Pass games: Confirmed new free titles to play in November 2025
All the revealed Xbox Game Pass games you need to know about for October.
With the new ROG Xbox Ally bringing gaming on the go, there's never been a better time to get into Xbox Game Pass (except for a couple of months ago, when it was a lot cheaper). Xbox's own version of PlayStation Plus has had plenty of huge day one releases this year, from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Doom: The Dark Ages to Atomfall and The Outer Worlds 2, and there are more to come. So, if y0u've decided to keep plugging away with your Game Pass subscription, here's everything you can look forward to on Xbox Game Pass in November 2025. Xbox Game Pass games: Confirmed new free titles for November 2025 These games have been confirmed for Xbox Game Pass in November 2025: 1000xRESIST (Console, PC) – 4th November Football Manager 26 (Console, PC) – 4th November Egging On (Xbox Series X/S, PC) – 6th November Whiskerwood (PC) – 6th November Voidtrain (Xbox Series X/S, PC) – 7th November Winter Burrow (Console, PC) – 12th November Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 (Xbox Series X/S, PC) – 14th November Moonlighter 2 (PC) – 19th November Monsters Are Coming! Rock & Road (Xbox Series X/S, PC, Cloud) – 20th November That's all we know in terms of officially confirmed games coming to Game Pass in November 2025. We'll update this page when the next batch of free games is confirmed by Microsoft. What games are leaving Xbox Game Pass? While many games are added to Xbox Game Pass, there are four games being taken away this month, all of which will be leaving the service on 15th November. They are: Blacksmith Master (PC) Football Manager 2024 (Console, PC) Frostpunk (Console, PC) Spirittea (Console, PC) Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl (Console, PC) We'll update this page as and when more are added, so check back at a later date! What other Xbox Game Pass games are coming up? Looking further into the future, the following Xbox Game Pass games have been confirmed as upcoming releases on the service, though a lot of dates are still to be announced. Witchbrook (Winter 2025) Dead Static Drive (2025) Lost in Random: The Eternal Die (2025) Subnautica 2 (2026) Ark 2 (date TBC) Bushiden (date TBC) Contraband (date TBC) Dead Static Drive (date TBC) Elder Scrolls 6 (date TBC) Fable (date TBC) Fallout 5 (date TBC) Replaced (date TBC) She Dreams Elsewhere (date TBC) State of Decay 3 (date TBC) What happened to Xbox Games with Gold? Xbox Live Gold was discontinued on 1st September 2023, and those who kept their subscription will have been automatically swapped over to the new Xbox Game Pass Core tier as part of a price increase for Xbox Game Pass. This change-up removes the two free monthly games and replaces them with a library of around 30 titles - including Halo 5: Guardians, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and Forza Horizon 4, to name a few. Xbox Game Pass Core subscribers will still be able to access online, as well as certain deals and discounts. Microsoft plans to update the Game Pass Core library two to three times a year. And that's your lot in terms of what's coming up! We'll be sure to let you know about all those future Xbox Game Pass games as we learn more about them. Read more on Xbox: The very best Xbox Series X games How to charge Xbox Series X controllers What is Xbox Game Pass? Price and perks explained How to connect any Xbox controller to Xbox Series X/S Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch 2 Edition and free update: Release date and what to expect
Nintendo is dropping two slightly different things on the same day.
Nintendo has two treats in store for Animal Crossing: New Horizons fans — the base game is getting a big free update, and, on top of that, a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of the game is due to be released on the same date. New Horizons originally launched on 20th March 2020, and it's no surprise that it became one of the biggest games of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its idyllic island communities (and its surprisingly compelling turnip economy) providing some excellent escapism when we needed it most. Five and a bit years on, you may not see as many news stories about the game (remember when Elijah Wood was visiting people's islands?), but Nintendo clearly hasn't forgotten about Animal Crossing. Of course, many of us are hoping that a new Animal Crossing game is on the way. But until Nintendo announces that, a big new update and a Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade will do nicely. Let's get to explaining when these things are coming and what the difference is between them, shall we? When is the Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch 2 Edition release date? The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a confirmed release date of 15th January 2026. Nintendo confirmed this date on its official channels, and the Switch 2 Edition of the game is available to wishlist now on the Nintendo eShop. What about the price? Upgrading to the Animal Crossing: New Horizons Nintendo Switch 2 Edition will cost you £4.19 if you already have the base game. If you don't have the base game, you can buy the Switch 2 Edition for £54.99. The trailer below was used to announce the Switch 2 Edition, as well as the free update to the base game. For more info on both of those things, keep on reading! View oEmbed on the source website When is the Animal Crossing free update v3.0 release date? The free Animal Crossing base game update, dubbed version 3.0, also has a confirmed release date of 15th January 2026. Yep, just to make things nice and easy to understand, Nintendo has opted to launch both of these things on the very same day. It's a little bit sad that fans of the franchise will have to wait until after Christmas to receive this free gift, but hey, it's nice that the game is still being supported at all this long after its launch. What to expect from the Animal Crossing Nintendo Switch 2 Edition The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of Animal Crossing: New Horizons brings a number of upgrades to the game. The Animal Crossing: New Horizons Switch 2 Edition's will have "enhanced resolution", allowing the game to go up to 4K when the console is docked. This will mean smoother graphics, as you can see the image above. The Switch 2 console's mouse controls will also come into play here, allowing you to detach a joycon and use it like a mouse to move items around on your island. There is also a new item, the Megaphone, which will allow you to "find your island friends by calling out their names". It will work with the Switch 2 console's built-in microphone. There are also enhanced multiplayer features, allowing up to 12 players to visit your island online at the same time (or eight players locally). You'll also be able to use the Nintendo Switch 2's Game Chat feature in this new version, as well as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera (sold separately). What to expect from the Animal Crossing free update v3.0 Of course, not everyone has a Nintendo Switch 2 console. That, we assume, is why Nintendo is releasing a free update to the base game on the same day as the Switch 2 Edition's release. So, if you're still playing on Switch 1 for the time being, and you're not quite tempted enough to buy a Nintendo Switch 2, what can you expect to get from this shiny new update? One of the key new additions is the Resort Hotel, which will appear at the end of you pier and challenge you to decorate its rooms with specific themes. At the hotel, you will be able to buy Nintendo-themed items like the NES and the Game Boy. If you have a Switch Online membership, you can even play games on them! From Nook's Cranny, you will be able to buy LEGO-themed items, too. And with additional Amiibo support being added in the update, you can get Zelda and Splatoon-themed items if you have the relevant Amiibo figures. The free update also adds more item storage to the game. The previous limit was 5000, but now you can upgrade it a couple more times to get 9000 storage spaces. The Dream Islands system has also been upgraded. You can now have up to four Slumber Islands on the go while you sleep. So, even if you don't fork out the for a Nintendo Switch 2, there will be plenty of new stuff for you to enjoy in Animal Crossing: New Horizons when 15th January comes around. Bring it on! Read more on Animal Crossing: How to update Animal Crossing and get the new DLC Animal Crossing's best and most popular villagers The best Animal Crossing dream islands to explore Animal Crossing shooting stars guide How to restart your game in Animal Crossing: New Horizons Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Is ARC Raiders crossplay? Multiplayer across platforms explained
The team Embark Studios, makers of The Finals, have done it again — their new multiplayer shooter ARC Raiders is out now, and it seems to be getting a lot of love from players. But does it have crossplay? One thing's for sure. ARC Raiders certainly has no shortage of interest, with the game's player count hitting some strong numbers on its launch day yesterday (Thursday 30th October). The game's launch hit similar heights to its open beta, which is pretty impressive when you consider that the full launch was a paid-for release and the open beta was free. A lot of players were convinced to open their wallets. But can those players play together across platforms? Keep on reading and we'll explain the ARC Raiders crossplay situation. Is ARC Raiders crossplay? Yes, ARC Raiders is crossplay. Whether you're playing ARC Raiders on PC, PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, you should be able to team up with your mates on other platforms to enjoy the ride together. This was confirmed ahead of launch on the game's official website, which states, "ARC Raiders supports seamless social play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. "Play with your squad and thrive as a team, or rise in the ranks as a lone ranger. Connect, collaborate, and compete, no matter where or how you play." Can you turn off ARC Raiders crossplay? Crossplay is enabled by default in ARC Raiders, so if you want to have it switched on, you don't have to do anything. It is already on from the second you opened the game for the first time. If you'd rather stick to players on your own platform to avoid any confusion or animosity, you can turn crossplay off in ARC Raiders. To turn crossplay off in ARC Raiders, all you need to do is head into the Settings menu, navigate to the Gameplay section, find the bit about Crossplay, and toggle it off. Simples. View Green Video on the source website Does ARC Raiders have cross-progression? Yes, ARC Raiders does have cross-progression support at launch. If you are lucky enough to own more than one device that can run ARC Raiders — for instance, you could have a PC, a PS5 and an Xbox Series X, all set up in different rooms — you will be able to keep your progress no matter which platform you're playing on at the time. However, you will have to buy the game on every platform separately. Your PC will need one copy, your PS5 will need one copy, and so will your Xbox. It's not a 'one licence fits all' situation. So, if you have all those platforms and you buy the game on each of them, how does the cross-progression work in ARC Raiders? All you need to do is make sure that you log into the same Embark Account on every device. With that done, your progress should load in properly wherever you choose to play. Have fun! Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Pokémon Legends Z-A confirms "known issues" with "planned fixes" coming soon
Players have had a couple of weeks to get to grips with Pokémon Legends Z-A, and now the developers have announced their intentions to fix a few "known issues" with the game. Of course, Pokémon Legends Z-A marked something of a departure for the iconic critter catching series from Game Freak, Nintendo, Creatures Inc and The Pokémon Company. Ditching the turn-based battle system that we've been using since the 1990s, Pokémon Legends Z-A switches to real-time combat, allowing you to run and roll about whilst your best moves charge up again. Even though the game returned to a familiar location, Lumiose City from Pokémon X and Y, it did redevelop the city with new battle zones and wild areas full of critters. It's no surprise that all of this change has brought with it some teething problems. And now, the team behind Pokémon Legends Z-A have admitted to a couple of clangers that they're planning to fix very soon. "We have confirmed the following issues and plan to fix them in a future update," a statement reads on the official Pokémon website. You might be surprised to learn that only two "known issues" are listed on the webpage. View oEmbed on the source website The first of them is described like so: "If your Pokémon Boxes become full before the first Rogue Mega Evolution battle and the Boxes menu had not been opened at any point prior to being filled, Pokémon catch attempts will always fail. "Additionally, if a side mission that allows you to receive Pokémon is attempted under these conditions, the mission will be completed without granting the Pokémon." And this is how the second known issue is summed up: "In certain side missions, if the time of day switches between daytime and nighttime at the exact moment that a move hits its target, it will become impossible to hit the target afterward, rendering the side mission incapable of being progressed further." The developers aren't waiting around when it comes to these two glitchy situations. The statement says in closing, "These issues are scheduled to be fixed in the update planned for release in November." While you wait for this November update to drop, why not try our quiz below and see if you're truly a Pokémon master? View Riddle on the source website Read more on Pokémon: Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave? All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained Legendary Pokémon - the full list Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them Pokémon games in order - where to start Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Pick whichever The Outer Worlds 2 background you want, but this one skill is absolutely vital on the first planet
Xbox Game Pass players are now free to jump in and try out The Outer Worlds 2. But before you start playing Obsidian's new space opera properly, you'll have to choose your background, your traits, and your first few skills. Regular visitors to the RPG genre will know that the decisions you make in these opening menus, and your subsequent spending of skill points, will have an impact later on. With that in mind, it's only natural to sit in those opening menus for ages and wonder what is the very best way to customise your character at the start of the game. I'm here to tell you that it's actually more about skills than it is about your background, in terms of which choices here will come back and bite you on the bottom later. While I was working on our The Outer Worlds 2 review, on my first play-through, I opted for the 'Roustabout' as my character's background. I really wanted to see how funny the comedy side of this game's writing was, and this seemed like a choice that would really play into that. Devising my character as a bit of muck-up, someone who somehow keeps failing upwards and stumbling out of sticky situations unscathed, seemed like a fun little option. And I don't regret it. Being a Roustabout opens up some silly dialogue options all through the game, and I never felt like I was being punished for choosing a dumb option at the start. If anything, I was being rewarded with little gags on the regular. It's actually in the skill point system that I'd most recommend that you invest your resources as mindfully as possible. If you waste your skill points on the wrong things, you'll run into high-stakes moments later on without the knowhow to resolve them in a positive fashion. In fact, there's one area in which I'd really recommend that you pump a few skill points early on. My key piece of advice would be this: make sure you spend four skill points on Hack as soon as you can. Why, I hear you ask? Well, the answer to that question is a pretty big spoiler, so look away now if you don't want to know even a vague description of the situation I'm trying to save you from. Still here? Okay, great. The reason I say that you will want to have your Hack skills at four or above factors into the first planet's main mission. Once you're past the tutorial and into the game proper, you'll be dropped on a planet and given the ultimate goal to infiltrate a secret lab called the Vox Relay. It'll probably take you hours to actually get to the Vox Relay, and you're likely to level up a few times along the way, giving you ample time to invest a few skill points in Hack. When you finish the Vox Relay mission, you'll have the option to interact with a computer and make a split-second choice that will impact a lot of people across multiple locations. If you don't have four skill points or more in Hack, you won't be able to choose the peaceful solution here. Instead, you'll be in a 'no win scenario' where you have to make a binary choice between two pretty bad outcomes. If you do have four skill points in Hack, you can advert disaster and finish the first planet without blowing up anything important or turning any factions against you. And that, dearest gentle reader, is why I strongly recommend that you pump four skill points into Hack before you head to the Vox Relay to wrap up the first planet. As you get deeper into the game, it's inevitable that you'll run into some situations where your skills don't measure up to the demands. I'd recommend spending a few on Speech if you like avoiding boss battles, and a little Engineering goes a long way too. It's all about your personal playstyle, and you'll learn as you go which skills you use the most, which weapons you favour in combat, and so on. In terms of traits and flaws, which you will also get to pick throughout the game, I wouldn't say there are any wrong answer there. Read the descriptions carefully and if something sounds up your alley, go for it. I opted for the Consumerism flaw, because the rewards were worth the risks in my opinion, and I've chosen my traits pretty carefully to match my playstyle (I don't care about pickpocketing or stealth, for example, so I didn't pick the traits that play into those styles of play). But yeah, put four into Hack and thank me later. You won't regret it! The game doesn't let you respec after the tutorial, either, so there's no undoing the skill point decisions you make. For more on The Outer Worlds 2, check out our developer interview over on YouTube! View oEmbed on the source website Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Baldur’s Gate 3 star Neil Newbon teases his new game: “It's a really brilliant experience”
It's not often that I interview the same person multiple times in the same year, but Neil Newbon is just that busy. Radio Times Gaming caught up with the iconic actor (who famously played Astarion in Baldur's Gate 3) to get the skinny about his new project, Starfinder: Afterlight, and a whole lot more. You can watch the whole interview on our YouTube channel, or in the video player above, if you’re that way inclined. And yes, because Newbon is super in-demand, we did conduct this interview in an alleyway, outside a major London train station, while the actor made his way from one appointment to the next. Support Starfinder: Afterlight on Kickstarter So, how would Newbon describe Starfinder: Afterlight, the new game that you might have seen him posting about on Instagram as well? In Newbon’s words, Starfinder: Afterlight is “an isometric roleplay game set in the world of Paizo's amazing Starfinder 2e edition rule set. “If you don't know what Starfinder is, that is a spiritual successor to Pathfinder, which is a spin-off itself from Dungeons & Dragons, but it's not the same thing. “It is a high-concept fantasy sci-fi drama. I actually think of Starfinder as a bit of a Western. But it's a fantastic roleplay system. And you get to live out your life as heroes, fighting some unknown thing, to maybe save the universe... maybe. Or just have snacks. One of the two." As for how the game is shaping up, Newbon teased, "It's a really brilliant experience. I've started playing a little bit of a tester and it's gonna get there, for sure, and I just really hope people have a wonderful experience in it." The game is being developed by a small Spanish company called Epictellers. When I spoke to the two founders over Zoom, they said that, if you compared their company to the BG3 makers from Larian, “Larian is a Ferrari, and Epictellers is a bicycle.” When I put this to Newbon, he said with a laugh, “A bicycle, but a really nice bicycle.” He added: “I mean, definitely, this is definitely an indie game with aspirations. The great thing is, I came to it when it was fully funded. We've done a Kickstarter recently, not because it needed funding, but actually, because we want to extend the ambitions that they had initially, to really create the best version of what this can be. And so it's really nice.” The response to the Kickstarter? Newbon notes, “It was overwhelming. I think we hit like 600 per cent of our target within 48 hours, or something mad, which is lovely. “So many people love the system of Starfinder, are big fans of Paizo. But also, they love the genre, and they're really excited to see this.” Newbon is working on the game as its voice director, having been introduced to Epictellers by a mutual contact, and he will also play the role of an alien mystic called Preach. Joining Newbon in the cast are some familiar faces, including Inel Tomlinson who also stars alongside Newbon in their Dungeons & Dragons & Drama podcast. To hear how the podcast is going, and to hear the behind the scenes stories from Newbon’s recent TED Talk, and to hear even more about Starfinder: Afterlight, you can check out the full interview below. The Kickstarter for Starfinder: Afterlight is live at this link. It will close on Thursday 6th November. View oEmbed on the source website Read more: "It’s like inviting people to go swing" – Neil Newbon shares his love of role-playing games "I am a real actor!" – Neil Newbon talks Pixel Pack and the problems that video game actors face Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion and Karlach actors have different thoughts on revisiting their characters Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Outer Worlds 2 companions: Full list and how to recruit them all
Maybe the real game is the friends we made along the way.
As with many role-playing games, how much you enjoy The Outer Worlds 2 will probably depend how much you like the companions you're surrounded by. In our four-star The Outer Worlds 2 review, I wrote, "By the 12 hour mark, I’d collected all the companions and noted how, in a similar vein to Mass Effect 3, the group had been designed to represent various different sides of the galactic conflict. At this point, I was locked in. "There are some characters in the mix here that have the potential to become huge fan favourites, with cool designs and zany backstories and great acting to make you believe it all. "The developers from Obsidian have once again decided not to include romance with your companions, though, which will be disappointing to some players (including me)." So, how many companions are there, who are the best ones to bring with you, and how do you get them all? We've got the answers to all those questions below. How many companions are there in The Outer Worlds 2? There are six companions to collect in The Outer Worlds 2. After you've left your ship and seen the Party Selection screen for the first time, you'll be aware of this, because you'll see how many slots there are to fill on the menu. You'll start the main campaign with two companions, and, as you'd expect, you'll collect the others in various places along your journey. We've got more detail on the recruitment process further down this article. Who are the best companions in The Outer Worlds 2? The best companions in The Outer Worlds 2 are Inez and Aza, in this writer's opinion. Inez's companion ability allows her to throw down healing packs during combat, which comes in very handy if you run out of inhaler charges. Aza's companion ability brings the fight to your enemies, allowing her to pop up anywhere during combat and dish out a power blast on whoever's bothering you. Combined, these two companions make combat situations less of a slog. Aza also has the darkest, funniest dialogue, if you like that sort of thing. Can you romance the companions in The Outer Worlds 2? No, you cannot romance the companions — or anyone else — in The Outer Worlds 2. The game's director, Brandon Adler, explained the reasoning behind this in an interview with GamesRadar. Adler said: ""Honestly, it [romance] didn't match my overall vision for what I wanted for the companions. "I wanted a group of people who you were close with but it wasn't necessarily that we had to have romance. Now, if it naturally kind of came up as a thing, sure, maybe we could talk about that, but it wasn't like a goal from the very beginning – like 'Yes, we're absolutely going to have romance for every character. "This is how the system is going to work. Say three nice things to them, and then they'll want to romance.' It has to be deeper than that, and has to, in some ways, be organic when you're writing these things." Alder added: "I won't get into what the relationships are overall, but it truly does need to be something that's organic. And in my mind, it can't be something that's pre planned like a checkbox. It's got to be something that works for the characters we're writing." View Green Video on the source website Full list of The Outer Worlds 2 companions The full list of The Outer Worlds 2 companions looks like this: Niles Valerie Inez Tristan Marisol Aza That is also a likely order that you'll pick them up in! It's worth noting that you can miss some of them or fail to recruit them, so keep your eyes peeled for this gang of misfits as you travel throughout the galaxy. Keep on reading and we'll share some extra info on each Outer Worlds 2 companion, including the method by which you can recruit them without fail. Niles How to recruit: Niles will be with you from the start, automatically. Allegiance: Earth Directorate (the same as you). Companion Abilities: Niles has the move from the start that will distract your enemies and make them focus on him, buying you some valuable seconds to heal and reload. As you walk around the world, you can also talk to Niles and ask him to craft things for you. Valerie How to recruit: VAL will be with you from the start, automatically. Allegiance: Earth Directorate (same as you). Companion Abilities: From the start, VAL can heal you during combat. As you progress through the game, you'll be able to upgrade her in various ways from the ship. Inez How to recruit: During the main quests, you'll first meet Inez on Paradise Island. After your first meeting, when you return to the town hall with the mission complete, you'll be able to chat to Inez and recruit here. Allegiance: Aunty's Choice. Companion Abilities: Inez will start the game with a healing ability that will come in handy during combat. Once you've recruited her, you'll soon receive a quest that will allow you to choose how exactly you fix her graft. (There are too possible outcomes here and we went for the Crabble one.) Tristan How to recruit: After the first planet, head to Free Market Station and you'll find Tristan arguing with the bartender in a bar called The 2nd Choice. Join the conversation, pick up the quest to help Tristan out, and follow it through to completion to recruit him. Allegiance: The Protectorate Companion Abilities: Tristan will be a big help in combat because he has a massive hammer. If you were looking for a tank for your party, look no further. Marisol How to recruit: During the main quest on the second planet, you'll be sent to solve a dispute at a scientific facility. You'll meet Marisol during this quest, and if you manage to get through the mission without killing her, she'll join your party. Allegiance: Order of the Ascendant Companion Abilities: From the start, Marisol has an ability that will scan your enemies, highlight them for you, and showcase their weaknesses. Helpful! Aza How to recruit: On the second planet, you will hear Aza shouting for help as you near the Decommissioned Autonomous Extractorium (it's over on the South-East side of the map). Clear the place out and you'll find her trapped in a room. Let her out and become best buds. Allegiance: The Glorious Dawn Companion Abilities: Aza can get the jump on enemies and dish out powerful blasts. You can also go for a more stealthy build and have her pick off weaker enemies. And that's your lot! They saved one of the best for last. For more on The Outer Worlds 2, check out this list of all the main missions to see how far you have left in the core story. Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Outer Worlds 2 main missions: Full list of chapters and how many to expect
If you don't get distracted by side quests...
Obsidian is launching The Outer Worlds 2 this week, and you may already be playing it if you forked out for early access. Once you start working your way through the game, it's only natural to wonder how many main missions there are. You'll want to know if you're nearing the end, after all! This is a game with plenty of side content, and a decent length main story. So, are you ready to see the list? Beware, there are some very vague spoilers in the mission names. So, let's get to it. Here's every you need to know about The Outer Worlds 2 main missions. How many main missions are in The Outer Worlds 2? There are eight main missions in The Outer Worlds 2. It's worth noting that each of these missions is a multi-stage quest that will send you around the houses for a bit. There is a fair amount of leg work before you reach the important story beats. Each planet that you visit also has a lot of side content and optional asides, some of which will feed back into the main story in ways both big and small. Don't feel like you always have to rush towards the next main objective! If you want to know the names of all eight missions, so you can see which one you're in right now, keep on reading. Full list of The Outer Worlds 2 main missions The full list of The Outer Worlds 2 main missions looks like this: A Cause Worth Killing For Recalling the Score The Saboteur of Paradise On the Trail of the Traitor Fiends in High Places An Instrument to Unfold Space & Time A Complication with the Computronic Cerebrum Sins of the Past on the Precipice of the Future Note: After Fiends in High Places, you can tackle the following two quests in either order. We opted to do An Instrument to Unfold Space & Time first, but you can opt to tackle A Complication with the Computronic Cerebrum at that point if you'd prefer. All roads lead to the same final mission, though, where many of your choices along the way will come to fruition. View Green Video on the source website In our four-star review of The Outer Worlds 2, we called it "a game that begs to be played". We added: "Its jovial tone seeps through its every pore, and its quirky characters will literally beckon you towards the next fun idea. And the game will reward you for exploring its nooks and crannies, either with some cool loot or a fun little story beat. "That being said, it’s worth noting that some very important plot moments happen in the blink of an eye and you might not even realise that you’ve made an important choice until after you’ve seen the horrific consequences of it. "The game could do a little more to signpost its big turning points, and its missable content, as it doesn’t hesitate to throw pop-ups at you for other things (the new flaws system, for example, which is a fun little addition)." So, as you work your way through the main missions, remember to stay alert to what's going on. Read the computers, listen to your companions, and try not to fudge up any important moments. Good luck! Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Pokémon Legends Z-A sales numbers: How much money has it made?
It's been a week since Pokémon Legends Z-A swooped onto Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and it's only natural to wonder how much money it has made in that time. The game has certainly garnered plenty of attention, with players flocking to Lumiose City in their millions to work their way through the Pokémon Legends Z-A Pokédex and collect all the new Mega Evolutions to boot. There's a nice long list of Pokémon Legends Z-A missions to tick off, and a handful of Legendaries to pick up late in the game. So, how is Pokémon Legends Z-A doing in terms of units sold and money made? Keep on reading and we'll try out best to break it down for you! How many units has Pokémon Legends Z-A sold? Pokémon Legends Z-A sold 5.8 million units in its first week, the official Japanese corporate website for the Pokémon franchise has confirmed. Of course, that number is only the first week and we'd expect the game to shift a lot more units as the Christmas season nears and more players begin to buy Nintendo Switch 2 consoles (and subsequently look for new things to play on there). Over on X (formerly known as Twitter), fans have been quick to point that Z-A has had a bigger first week than Pokémon X and Y, the 2013 Nintendo DS games that share the same setting as Z-A. On the flip-side, these community-gathered stats show that five different Pokémon games have had bigger first weeks than Z-A. The games that have done better are are Scarlet/Violet, Legends Arceus, Sword/Shield, and Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl. View oEmbed on the source website How much money has Pokémon Legends Z-A made? If Pokémon Legends Z-A has sold 5.8 million units, what does that mean in terms of actual money? Well, the game is priced at £49.99 on the Nintendo eShop, so it's time to whip out the calculator. If all those 5.8 million people paid the recommended retail price, that would mean that Pokémon Legends Z-A has already made £289.9 million. Of course, that is a rough estimate. Some people might have found a discounted price at a retailer, while others might have paid more to get the Switch 2 upgrade or the DLC. But still, it will be something upwards of £200 million, which is not bad for a week's business by anyone's metrics! If The Pokémon Company announces any updated numbers, we'll be sure to update this page to match. In the meantime, we'll be battling through the streets of Lumiose with you! View Riddle on the source website Read more on Pokémon: Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave? All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained Legendary Pokémon - the full list Pokémon Scarlet and Violet cheats - handy hacks Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them Pokémon games in order - where to start Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition: Release date and what to expect
Bethesda has confirmed the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition release date.
It's time to dust off your Pip-Boy and check that your Power Armour still fits — Bethesda has confirmed the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition release date. As part of the big Fallout Day live stream, the team from Bethesda announced that a shiny new version of 2015's Fallout 4 will arrive in our lives to mark the game's 10th birthday. That isn't the only birthday being celebrated, either. During the same stream, Bethesda announced that Fallout: New Vegas is getting a new Anniversary Bundle to mark that game's 15th anniversary. Pre-orders have already begun for that one, and it comes with a lot of merch. Beyond the birthday party action, Bethesda also confirmed that the Ghoul from the Fallout TV show will be coming to Fallout 76 on 2nd December 2025. Just in time for Fallout season 2! But if it's the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition that piqued your interest during the stream, keep on reading and we'll run through all the key details! When is the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition release date? The Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition release date is Monday 10th November 2025 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. In a satisfying slice of synergy, this means that the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition will land on the exact same date that the original Fallout 4 dropped way back when in 2015. However, if you're hoping to play the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition on Nintendo Switch 2, you'll have to wait until 2026. We don't have an exact date for the Switch 2 port as of yet, but we know it will be in 2026. What to expect from the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition Bethesda's official website tells us that the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition will include the base game, six official add-ons, "and over 150 pieces of Creation Club content". All of this will be "bundled together in one neat package in celebration of Fallout 4’s 10th anniversary". Those add-ons, if you were wondering, are called Automatron, Far Harbor, Nuka-World and the Workshop. The Creation Club content is said to include everything from "new weapons and different Dogmeat breeds like a husky or a Dalmatian, to gameplay tweaks and quest expansions". The Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition will also include a new feature called "Creations", which will allow you to "discover, download and enjoy content from professional developers and passionate enthusiasts alike". Seeing as Fallout 4 mods have been huge over the years, including massive projects like Fallout London, this new Creations system seems like an interesting move. We'll be very interested to see what exactly is available through it. We'll be sure to keep an eye on the game and its community when the Fallout 4 Anniversary Edition releases on 10th November. Read More: Is Fallout 76 good now? We asked its producer this trending question Fallout 5 release date speculation: Latest news on the next Fallout game Ella Purnell reacts to Fallout's "overwhelming" success Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
The Outer Worlds 2 review: A game that begs to be played
Society is run by farcical corporations that only care about the bottom line – in The Outer Worlds 2, that is. This satirical science-fiction roleplaying game allows you to create your own character and stumble into a conspiracy of galactic importance, where you're just as likely to chuckle at an unexpected joke as you are to feel your adrenalin pumping in an explosive gunfight. You'll collect colourful companions for your spaceship as you travel between planets, unravel the plot and pull your hair out over massively important decisions. With all-new characters and locations, newcomers to the series are very much welcome here. If you did play the first game in the franchise, you might be surprised to jump into a sequel that feels totally unrelated to the first game. Your brand new character is thrown straight into a high-stakes mission, and it’s not long before you’re unleashed on a planet with almost total freedom to wander about and do whatever you want. As you explore the manifold wide open areas of the game, which are rendered beautifully (if somewhat overstuffed with violent creatures), you’ll do all sorts of random tasks, from solving murders to resolving workplace disputes and everything in between. In typical Fallout fashion, it’s not long before you’re given some difficult choices to make and warring factions to choose from. Things can go very badly wrong, and you will be held accountable for decisions that you make along the way. Even something that seems noble, like saving some innocent people, can backfire on you in major ways. However, in the first few hours of the game, the writing doesn’t do an amazing job of communicating who the different factions are and why exactly they are warring. And, trust me, I was really trying to take in all the dialogue. (As more of a visual learner, reams of text is rarely the way I understand things!) To start with, I was worried that the overarching space opera story was lacking anything engaging. It felt like the space war was purely there to provide a backdrop and some narrative thrust. But, around the five hour mark, my understanding of who’s who and why is any of this happening started to come together. As my in-game to-do list grew and my list of places to explore expanded, so too did my emotional bond to the characters and my desire to see where it’s all heading. By the 12 hour mark, I’d collected all the companions and noted how, in a similar vein to Mass Effect 3, the group had been designed to represent various different sides of the galactic conflict. At this point, I was locked in. There are some characters in the mix here that have the potential to become huge fan favourites, with cool designs and zany backstories and great acting to make you believe it all. The developers from Obsidian have once again decided not to include romance with your companions, though, which will be disappointing to some players (including me). Despite that, character and dialogue are clearly very important to the writers of The Outer Worlds 2. Heck, they’ve even turned the game’s start menu into a dialogue scene! The gag rate is very high, and for a comedic video game, it stays on the right side of that intangible invisible line and never goes too far into being crass or unfunny. This is a cliche thing to say, but I did genuinely laugh out loud a few times. To say too much about the plot would spoil the surprises that are coming your way. Suffice it to say, we always wanted to keep playing and see what happened next. This is the kind of game that will make you regret having evening plans to go out and see your friends. The combat is one of the areas that feels a little bit less enjoyable, and despite the fact that I kept picking up more and more guns, I settled on one type that I liked fairly early and only replaced/upgraded it when absolutely necessary (triple-barrelled shotgun, if you were wondering). Swapping between weapon types means having the right ammo, and having the right ammo means having the right crafting materials, and that felt like too much busy work after a couple of hours. By the time you've got out the weapon you want, the enemy has probably run away to hide behind cover somewhere else. To save yourself some stress, it’s easier to pick one weapon type and just stick with that. 60 per cent of the time, it works every time. Using the menus is a pain, too. With fast-travel points and mission markers often overlapping on the map screen, it’ll take you a few too many of your precious seconds to click on the thing you actually want to interact with. Finding what you want in the crafting menu or your inventory also feels a little clunky. You might feel a bit bogged down in the admin if you really care about equipping the best gear and the best weapons for every scenario. Gadgets are more fun, though, and you’ll still be finding new tools to help you through specific scenarios quite far into the game. Some of these are quite imaginative, and it almost starts to feel Metroidvania-esque at points (meaning, the new gadget you just found will help you unlock areas that you couldn’t access before). The Outer Worlds 2 is a game that begs to be played. Its jovial tone seeps through its every pore, and its quirky characters will literally beckon you towards the next fun idea. And the game will reward you for exploring its nooks and crannies, either with some cool loot or a fun little story beat. View Green Video on the source website That being said, it’s worth noting that some very important plot moments happen in the blink of an eye and you might not even realise that you’ve made an important choice until after you’ve seen the horrific consequences of it. The game could do a little more to signpost its big turning points, and its missable content, as it doesn’t hesitate to throw pop-ups at you for other things (the new flaws system, for example, which is a fun little addition). It’s a very good sign that, even with limited time before the review embargo lifted, I still wanted to chase down side quests and tick off everything that took my fancy (even if it was clearly marked as Optional). If The Outer Worlds 2 had a combat system that played more to my tastes, menus that were less clunky, it would be verging on RPG perfection. These worlds are well worth exploring and the characters are well worth getting to know. If you’re into Fallout-style RPGs, this will scratch that itch perfectly. Just be careful along the way that you don’t make any choices you’ll regret! The Outer Worlds 2 launches in early access on Friday 24th October for players that pre-ordered the Premium Edition. The game will have its full launch on Wednesday 29th October across Xbox Series X/S, Xbox Game Pass, PC and PS5. We reviewed on Xbox Series X. Read more Gaming reviews: Jurassic World Evolution 3 review: It's good to be back, but it's not perfect ROG Xbox Ally review: I don't really know who this is for Battlefield 6 review: Old-school Battlefield action Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 review: It's good to be back, but it's not perfect
It’s good to be back, but Jurassic World Evolution 3 isn’t a perfect game. And that’s coming from a long-time fan of this dinosaur-stuffed theme park management series. When Frontier Developments stepped away from their fossil-dusting kits to make Planet Coaster 2 a few years ago, I feared the worst. I thought the Jurassic World Evolution franchise was dead in the water like the victims of a Mosasaurs attack. With that in mind, it’s a cause for celebration that JWE has returned with a whole new game, outlasting the original Jurassic World movie series (which has now been relaunched with a new cast including Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey). Let’s start with the movie connections. While Owen Grady (Chris Pratt’s role from the films) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) were key characters in the campaign last time, with Howard even lending her voice to the game, this new release only refers to them in passing. On the upside, Jeff Goldblum is still present and correct, voicing Ian Malcolm once again. The good doctor constantly quibbles and questions whether any of this is a good idea, and Goldblum’s inimitable line deliveries really add a layer of fun authenticity to proceedings. View Green Video on the source website The story, set after Jurassic World Dominion, tasks you with travelling to sites around the globe and helping dinosaurs in various different ways. In some places, you’ll find a good old-fashioned theme park. In others, a scientific project or a breeding programme that needs your assistance. Speaking of breeding, that’s one of the big new upgrades this time around, and it makes the gameplay so much deeper and more engaging than before. In previous entries, once your dinosaurs were happy in their enclosure, you could leave them alone for huge stretches of time without anything going wrong. In this new game, if you have a breeding pair and you give them a nest, you will eventually see a juvenile dinosaur coming to life in your midst. Not only is this a beautiful moment (if you enjoyed watching new dinosaurs arrive in their enclosures, you’ll love this), but it’s also a major shake-up to the gameplay. You see, juvenile dinosaurs don’t always have the same needs as their parents. They might want a different kind of food, for example, or a different sort of company. This forces you to think twice about your enclosures, to revisit them regularly and mix things up to keep everyone happy. Another new addition is that parks can exist on multiple levels, allowing some verticality and cool visuals like cascading waterfalls or enclosures at the top of mountains. Security cameras are a cool new feature, too, allowing you to automate more of your maintenance in a way that will feel familiar to fans of Two Point Museum and its burglar system. We’re very confident that if you enjoyed either of the previous Jurassic World Evolution games, you’ll have an absolute blast with this one. You’ll lose – once again – days of your life to mastering it and unlocking more goodies as you go. The upgrades are strong, while the core gameplay and vibes are exactly what you’ll want. (Shoutout, as ever, to the music of Jurassic Park.) However, that’s not to say the game is perfect. Playing on a controller may not be the primary way that people play this sort of game, but I always do, and I did find it particularly fiddly this time out. Trying to get the item I wanted to see actually in the frame and visible was very fiddly at points, particularly coming in and out of aviaries. Without the use of a mouse, getting around the menus felt arduous at times as well. Finding the thing you like, and remembering whether it counts as an ‘enclosure’ or ‘attraction’, for example, did get a bit annoying at times. I’d find myself pausing time just so I could find the right thing. Also, with the amount of overlapping systems in the game, there were one or two points where I got stuck for longer than I’d like trying to work out how to chain the different elements together. How to hire the right scientists, to research the right dig site, to find the right fossils, to get the right genome, and so on. There will always be busy work in a game like this, but you don’t want it to go beyond the point of being engaging, and you definitely don’t want it to feel like managing the menus takes up more of your time than the park building. All things considered, Jurassic World Evolution fans will be happy that the franchise is back and there will be enough shiny new elements to keep them entertained. But if you’ve never gotten on with this series before, you probably won’t start now. Jurassic World Evolution 3 launches 21st October for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. You can order your copy now. We reviewed on Xbox Series X. Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Jurassic World Evolution 3 boss explains all the "major new additions that we wanted to realise"
Babies make everything more complicated.
Frontier Developments is back in the world of dinosaurs, with Jurassic World Evolution 3 launching tomorrow (Tuesday 21st October). After delivering the first two JWE games, and eating up much of our free time in the process, the company stepped away from fossils and enclosures to make 2024’s Planet Coaster 2. So, what brought the team back to Jurassic World? We asked Jurassic World Evolution 3’s game director, Andy Fletcher, at an elaborate preview event for the new game. (Check out the video above to see what we mean!) Fletcher told us: “Jurassic World Evolution 3 began with the core, big features that we wanted to add. We wanted to go back to the series, because there was some major new additions that we wanted to realise. “And they are; the addition of dinosaur families. So we've got male dinosaurs now, we have dinosaur breeding, which means you have juvenile dinosaurs. The whole dynamic of the family herd really excited us. “As did the idea of bumping up the creativity of the game. So the building park building element, really overhauling that, giving players the power to build parks they never could before. “We knew such potential in both of those areas that we, yeah, we wanted to go back to this franchise, which we love. And we're really proud of the first two games. We knew we had a big third game that we could make, too.” We were given a few hours to try the game, and we managed to see the dinosaur breeding function in action. It starts fairly simply — you just put a nest in your enclosure. If you have a breeding pair in the enclosure, there's a chance that a baby dinosaur will be born, and that baby dinosaur will then come into existence in the enclosure. The challenging part is that the juveniles oftentimes have very different needs to the parents. So that adds an extra layer to the complexity of the gameplay. In the previous games, you might never really go back to an enclosure once you'd ensured the dinosaurs within were happy in their surroundings. Now, a kid could be born at any point — life could find a way — and that will change the needs of everyone in the enclosure. A simple example is this: you might need to make an enclosure that has low down on the floor food for the baby herbivores, but really high fruit-bearing trees for the adults, especially with those long-necked dinosaurs. This happened to us in the demo, and it forced us to go back and redo the enclosure to account for the new needs. View oEmbed on the source website An evil thought occurred: could we strip the juveniles away from their parents, to make it a bit easier, and force them to live in separate enclosures? Or would they rebel against us for ripping their families apart? “Yeah, they could do,” Fletcher explained. “So again, it's all about the social needs of that particular species." "So, some adults might want adult males in the herd, they might want a certain number of juveniles. Juveniles might want to be near their parents or near adults in general. Typically, they would. “So yeah, you may have found that they would have been a bit uncomfortable in their quarantined enclosure. And that's when, you know, breakouts can happen and peril can start, and you need to try and contain that. "But it's up to the player, you know? You can try and play that way if you want.” Fletcher also teased: “And things change, right? So, you know, the T-Rex. The adult T-Rex males are fine with the juvenile being in the enclosure. "But when the juvenile grows up into an adult? Another adult male. It’s maybe not a good idea to have them in the same enclosure. So yeah, definitely something to keep an eye on as your park expands.” And it’s not just the male dinosaurs and juveniles that are making the game more rich and challenging. Fletcher told us: “There's a lot going on under the hood that's changed in terms of the modular building system that we've added in, and the incredible terrain tools that allow you to build parks and multiple layers.” You can now build parks across different levels, with mountains and cascading waterfalls and natural barriers instead of just electric fences. The game looks like a true evolution, befitting for the name of the franchise, and we’re very much looking forward to playing more. View oEmbed on the source website And would Fletcher have any tips for returning players, or new ones? “What we've tried to do with the returning players is actually make the game still feel as familiar as possible,” Fletcher told us. He added: "At the end of the day, we want people to pick up a controller or the mouse and keyboard and feel like, ‘Oh, I know. I'm back in Jurassic World Evolution. I know what I'm doing. “We've also added some features that allow you to kind of preempt the chaos a little bit. So you've got systems like the security cameras that can catch rogue dinosaurs and automatically send out your capture teams to get them. You can set up patrol routes for a maintenance team to automatically deal with fence breaks and buildings that might have had some damage. “So we've kind of tried to give people even more control over, you know, the high level management, so it doesn't… you don't always have to be the person who resolves that individual issue every time. “In terms of first time players, I would definitely encourage them to learn about dinosaur breeding and get those juveniles into their parks, because the juveniles have very high appeal. They will bring a nice influx of guests into your park. “And then, once the guests are in, you can put down your amenities and get your bank balance up so you can synthesise bigger and better dinosaurs and get more juveniles. So yeah, juveniles are the key.” Jurassic World Evolution 3 launches 21st October for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. You can order your copy now. And you can see the rest of this interview on the Radio Times Gaming YouTube channel. Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Doctor Who producer reacts to "really rude" claims that the show is "as dead as we've ever known it"
Reports of Doctor Who's death have been greatly exaggerated, it seems.
Jane Tranter, one of the key executive producers behind Doctor Who and founder of Bad Wolf Studios (the company that makes the show), has reacted to comments that the BBC's flagship sci-fi series is "as dead as we’ve ever known it." That particular comment came from Robert Shearman (writer of an iconic 2005 episode, Dalek), who had been quoted in Doctor Who Magazine talking about the show's series 15 finale. The most recent series ended on the cliff-hanger reveal that Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor had regenerated into a character played by Billie Piper. Piper, of course, starred as Rose Tyler in the main series (including Shearman's aforementioned episode) and popped up again as The Moment in the 50th anniversary special, meaning that her reappearance in the Doctor's place is something of a mystery. With viewers left dangling on this cliff-hanger, and no word yet on when the next full series of Doctor Who will arrive (or even enter production), emotions have been running high, with Shearman suggesting that the shock regeneration "put a full stop on things" and left the show feeling "as dead as we’ve ever known it." Speaking on BBC Radio Wales, in an interview that was picked up by Deadline, Jane Tranter was given the opportunity to reply publicly to these comments. Reports of Doctor Who's death have been greatly exaggerated, it seems. Tranter is quoted as saying: "'As dead as we’ve ever known.' That’s really rude, actually. And really untrue." Clarifying the current state of affairs, and touching on how the upcoming seafaring spin-off factors into things, Tranter added: "The plans for Doctor Who are really simply this — the BBC and BBC Studios had a partnership with Disney Plus for 26 episodes. "We are currently 21 episodes down into that 26-episode run. We have got another five episodes of The War Between The Land And The Sea to come. "At some point after that, decisions will be made together with all of us about what the future of Doctor Who entails." Tranter continued: "It’s a 60-year-old franchise. It’s been going for 20 years nonstop since we brought it back in 2005. You would expect it to change, wouldn’t you? Nothing continues the same always, or it shouldn’t continue the same always. "So it will change in some form or another. But the one thing we can all be really clear of is that the Doctor will be back and everyone, including me, including all of us, just has to wait patiently to see when, and who." Patience is a virtue, then, it would seem. In the meantime, why not check out some of our exclusive videos with the Doctor Who cast and crew in the feed below? We'll be sure to keep you posted as more news emerges. Add Doctor Who to your watchlist on the <a id="OWA8b702c45-bee9-94e4-f018-57518e78041b" class="x_OWAAutoLink" title="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" href="https://www.radiotimes.com/download-the-app/?af_xp=custom&pid=website&c=editorial_content&is_retargeting=true&af_reengagement_window=30d" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-outlook-id="449c28d9-909e-4aab-b6b8-153454f55d5e" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more. Check out more of our Sci-fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A - Release date, launch time, trailers and Mega Evolution news
The next Pokémon game? It's a return trip to Kalos.
The year of the Nintendo Switch 2 continues, and with its release fast approaching, we now have confirmation of the release times for Pokémon Legends: Z-A around the world. With the 10th Generation still nowhere in sight, Game Freak is returning to the new gameplay format they pioneered in Pokémon Legends: Arceus, taking us back to Pokémon X and Y's Kalos region. So, if you're excited to head back to the bustling streets of Lumiose City, here's what date and time you can play Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon Legends Z-A release date Pokémon Legends: Z-A will release on 16th October 2025. This was officially confirmed by Nintendo with a post to its various social media pages in May. The game had previously been scheduled for a late 2025 release date, but hadn't been given a more specific release window aside from that. What time does Pokémon Legends: Z-A release in the UK? Pokémon Legends: Z-A releases at midnight on 16th October 2025 in the UK. In fact, the game releases at midnight locally around the world, with the exception of countries with more than one time zone, in which case it will become available at midnight in the easternmost time zone. For example, players in the US will be able to play it at midnight on the East Coast (EDT), which corresponds to 9pm PDT, 10pm MDT and 11pm CDT on 15th October. The same is true for Australia, with the game launching at midnight AEDT. View Green Video on the source website Can I pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A? Yes, you can pre-order Pokémon Legends Z-A from UK retailers like Amazon and Smyths. As for the US, you can get yourself a copy from GameStop, although it doesn't appear to be available to pre-order anywhere else yet. Which consoles and platforms can play Pokémon Legends Z-A? As for platforms, we know that Pokémon Legends: Z-A will at least be available on Nintendo Switch, with the console's familiar red and white logo in the official announcement trailer. The game will also be available on the Nintendo Switch 2, which is great news for those wanting to play Pokémon Legends: Z-A on Nintendo's latest hardware. Pokémon Legends Z-A gameplay news – Is Mega Evolution back in the next Pokémon game? View oEmbed on the source website The trailer for Pokémon Legends Z-A only really confirmed one thing in terms of gameplay — by including the familiar icon above, the developers made it clear that Mega Evolution will feature in Pokémon Legends Z-A. People who played the original X and Y games will know that Mega Evolution originated in those titles before being included in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as well. Through the use of special stones, Mega Evolution allows select Pokémon to transform into 'Mega' versions of themselves (with new designs, abilities and improved stats) midway through battle. Similar gimmicks have appeared in more recent games, but some fans have been hoping for a long time to see Mega Evolution return. In addition to Mega Evolutions, Wild Zones will feature across Lumiose City, where players can capture Pokémon using crosshairs. Battling is also different. Players can move Pokémon during battles, making positioning a useful tool alongside which moves are used. Following the release of a new trailer during the March Nintendo Direct, we also got a few more confirmed gameplay features. First, we've got the return of the day/night cycle, something that featured in Legends: Arceus, but has a bit of a twist in Z-A. The trailer seems to suggest that daytime is more focused on catching Pokémon, while night focuses more on battles as Trainers hit the streets to compete in the Z-A Royale, a new competition. Like how you could sneak up behind Pokémon in Legends: Arceus to get an advantage in battle, you can do the same by surprising NPCs to start a battle. Lastly, we were shown some footage of 'Wild Zones', areas where Pokémon live in peace within Lumiose City (until you barrel in to catch them, of course). Pokémon Legends Z-A story news – Is it a prequel? Regarding the story, it's currently unclear whether Pokémon Legends Z-A is set before or after Pokémon X and Y. The only previous mainline Pokémon game to have 'Legends' in the title was 2022's Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which travelled back in time to an ancient period way before Diamond and Pearl (all three of those games were set in the same region). Set in Lumiose City, the area is undergoing a redevelopment with the aim of Pokémon and humans living in perfect harmony. The redevelopment is being undertaken by Quasartico Inc, with CEO Jett and their secretary Vinny expected to play a huge part in the story. AZ is the owner of a hotel where your character stays. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Do we know what the Pokemon Legends: Z-A starters will be? Yes! The starters for Pokémon Legends: Z-A have been revealed. As expected, Game Freak has followed the same formula to previous Pokémon games, with players having the ability to choose between a Water, Fire, or Grass-type Pokémon. Below is a list of their names: Chikorita - Grass Tepig - Fire Totodile - Water Is there a Pokémon Legends Z-A trailer? You can check out the Pokémon Legends Z-A reveal trailer below. It didn't give much away, to be honest, but it was enough to get us excited! View oEmbed on the source website This was followed up by another trailer in the Nintendo Direct released in March 2025: View oEmbed on the source website Read more on Pokémon: Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave? All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained Legendary Pokémon - the full list Pokémon Scarlet and Violet cheats - handy hacks Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them Pokémon games in order - where to start Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Ghost of Yōtei armour: Best armour sets for every playstyle
Having the best armour set can go a long way in Ghost of Yōtei, a game that rewards you for playing thoughtfully and matching the right gear to your playstyle. Whichever way you’re exploring the Ghost of Yōtei map (shoutout to everyone who’s ignoring the main missions to maximise their freewheeling open-world adventures), you’ll want to be wearing the best armour possible for the task at hand at any given point. Some of the best Ghost of Yōtei armour is angled around one particular weapon or a single combat style, but there are a few that offer more general boosts that feel more like traditional video game armour. So, what’s the best armour in Ghost of Yōtei? And how do you get it? Keep on reading and we’ll run through all the best options and why they might be right for Atsu in your case. Let’s get to it. What is the best armour in Ghost of Yōtei? In this writer’s opinion, the best armour in Ghost of Yōtei is Taro’s Armour. As I’m not particularly obsessed with one particular weapon type or playstyle, the Taro Armour stands out as a very strong option for two reasons. For one thing, it boosts your health (by a minor amount to start with, but more and more with every upgrade). Secondly, it enhances your Spirit gains when you have a cooking bonus. These two factors means that it gives you a general boost during combat scenarios without taking anything helpful away from you. And as an added bonus, it’ll also reduce fire and cold damage. However, we’re aware that everyone plays the game differently and therefore will require a different armour to maximise their chances. To try and help more of you out, we’ve listed a number of great armour sets below and what each one is best for. Best armour sets in Ghost of Yōtei Taro's Armour: Best for Health and Spirit What it does: All Spirit gains increased by a minor amount when graced with a cooking Spirit bonus. Maximum Health increased by a minor amount. Fire and Cold damage reduced by a moderate amount. How to get: Rescue Taro the scavenger from a group of Ronin. This can happen at a number of different locations around the map, so make sure to swoop in and help any helpless person you see being ganged up on by Ronin. See video guide Ninetail Armour: Best for Stealth How to get: Follow the main quest about assassinating The Kitsune and you’ll pick up this armour at one of the Ninetail bases along the way. It’s in the Blood on the Snow chapter. What it does: Enemy detection is reduced by a minor amount. Assassinating enemies has a minor chance of granting 1 Quickfire ammo. Quickfire weapon damage and duration of status effects inflicted on enemies are increased by a minor amount. See video guide Dragonfly Armour: Best for Bow and Arrow What it does: Increase Arrow reload speed by a moderate amount. Firing an empowered Arrow grants a minor amount of Concentration. Fully drawing your bow creates a brief timed glint. Firing an arrow during the glint empowers your shot, moderately increasing its damage and range. How to get: Find Cairn Forks in the north east of Shizunai Woods in the Tokachi Range area of the map. Speak to Daijiro, go with him to Huranui's Rest Inn, and finish the tale to unlock the armour. See video guide Speaking of videos, you can check out our interview with Yōtei co-director Nate Fox in the player below. We talk all about the benefits of going PS5 exclusive and leaving the old PS4 behind. View Green Video on the source website Ginji’s Guard: Best for Gun Fights What it does: Incoming projectiles inflict less damage by a major amount. Blocking deflects incoming bullets. Increase Tanegashima reload speed by a minor amount. How to get: Complete the Pride Before Tea Tale. To start that quest, speak to Ginji the Armorer at Benten Port along the Oshima Coast. See video guide Bounty Master Armour: Best for Perfect Parry fiends What it does: A Perfect Parry enables 2 additional counterattacks. All Spirit Gains are increased by a minor amount. Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge windows are increased by a minor amount, but regular Parries are disabled. How to get: Complete bounty missions until you get the bounty for Soma the Condemed Bounty. Defeat Soma and you’ll get this armour. See video guide Armour of the Undying: Best for weapon matching What it does: If weapon aligned, Focus Attacks have a minor chance to increase Stagger damage. If weapon aligned, Staggering enemies restores a minor amount of Health. If weapon aligned, the window to perform Perfect Parry and Perfect Dodge is increased by a minor amount. How to get: Complete The Undying Samurai tale. You can pick up this quest at Storyteller's Rest in Ishikari Plain. See video guide And that's your lot! If you love matching your weapon to the opponent, using the 'rock paper scissors' system in the game, that last one (Armour of the Undying) will do you the world of good. It's also worth remembering, with all of the armour in the game, that you can upgrade your armour a few times to turn those minor boosts into major ones and really tailor the perks to your benefit. Whichever armour you choose, have a great time out there in the open world! Read more on Ghost of Yōtei: Ghost of Yōtei weapons: How to unlock all the different weapon types explained Ghost of Yōtei chapters: Full list of missions and how many quests to expect Ghost of Yōtei sales numbers: How much money has it made? Which Ghost of Yōtei assassination target should you do first? Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
When does the CoD BO7 beta end? UK time confirmed
When does the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 beta end? If you're asking that question, particularly here in the UK, you've come to the right place to find the answer. The CoD BO7 beta started on Sunday, meaning that players have had a decent amount of time to try out the game ahead of its full launch next month. To keep the party going and perhaps to deflect attention from another big shooter launch, Activision even made the bold move to extend the beta for an extra 24 hours beyond its original schedule. So, when does the CoD BO7 beta end? Keep reading and we'll explain all! When does the CoD BO7 beta end? Here in the UK, the CoD BO7 beta will end at 5pm BST on Thursday 9th October. You have until then to get maximum enjoyment from it. On the other side of the pond, this means American players will be booted out of the beta at 9am PT on Thursday. In central Europe, you have until 6pm CEST on Thursday to enjoy the BO7 beta. Below is a list of the CoD BO7 end times in various major regions around the globe. USA: 9am PT on Thursday 9th October UK: 5pm BST on Thursday 9th October Central Europe: 6pm CEST on Thursday 9th October India: 9:30pm on Thursday 9th October Japan: 1am JST on Friday 10th October Australia: 2.30am ACDT on Friday 10th October New Zealand: 5am NZDT on Friday 10th October And remember, if your time zone isn't on that list, you can always check how times compare using websites like World Time Buddy. Of course, the elephant in the room here is that Battlefield 6 is launching this week, which does make the timing of the CoD beta seem very deliberate. How much market share can the new Battlefield game pull away from CoD? Only time will tell, but it will certainly be interesting to see it all play out as a spectator. For now, though, you've got a few more hours to get the most out of the CoD BO7 beta. Have fun with it while you can! Read more: Call of Duty games order Best gaming chairs - pick your CoD throne Best gaming headsets - improve your audio View Riddle on the source website Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Neil Newbon reveals new video game project, and you can help fund it
The actor steps into a new, bigger role.
Neil Newbon, the actor who brought your beloved vampire companion Astarion to dazzling life in Baldur’s Gate 3, has announced a new video game project — and you can help fund it! Newbon has been busy since BG3, working on numerous games as well as launching his own podcast (Dungeons & Dragons & Dramas), overseeing the Pixel Pack project to get more recognition for actors in games, travelling to events around the globe, and even meeting up with us for an extended Arcade Hang interview. And now, Newbon is adding another feather to his cap. The star took to social media to announce the news, as well as inviting fans to invest in the idea. "Thrilled to announce my partnership as Voice Director with Epic Tellers on our new game Starfinder: Afterlight," Newbon posted on Instagram last night (Monday 6th October). That’s right! Newbon is working as the voice director on an upcoming game called Starfinder: Afterlight. The game's official Kickstarter page adds: "It is a true privilege to announce that Neil Newbon (Baldur's Gate 3, Resident Evil Village) has joined our mission as our voice director. "Neil will be responsible for guiding and shaping the voice acting in the game, from casting to final delivery, ensuring every performance fits the creative vision." Seemingly designed with fans of Pathfinder in mind, Starfinder: Afterlight is described on Steam as a “party-based RPG that brings Paizo's beloved science-fantasy universe to life.” Players will “battle across the Pact Worlds, lead a legendary crew where your choices shape their destiny, and well — save the galaxy while you're at it!” The game has already been fully paid for, but Newbon has announced an extra wave of additional fundraising with one goal in mind: "to increase the cast beyond the main actors and supporting actors." With Newbon being one of the biggest names in the video game acting world right now, it’s very cool to see him stepping behind the scenes like this to direct a team of actors, and even pushing for extra funding to create more acting jobs on the project. Whether or not Newbon will lend his own iconic voice to the game remains to be seen, but we wouldn’t be surprised if he does! Wouldn't that be the icing on the cake? You can check out the game, and help fund it, on its Kickstarter page. We’ll bring you more news on Starfinder: Afterlight as we have it. In the meantime, you can watch the trailer below. View oEmbed on the source website If the box above is not showing, you may need to change your privacy settings. In the Radio Times site footer, click ‘Manage Privacy Settings’. Under ‘Site Vendors’, consent to ‘YouTube’, then press Save & Exit. Read more on Neil Newbon: Dead Take review: Neil Newbon shines in terrifying Hollywood horror "It’s like inviting people to go swing" – Neil Newbon talks role-playing games "I am a real actor!" – Neil Newbon talks Pixel Pack Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
How the PS5 powered Ghost of Yōtei's most heartwarming new feature
The Sucker Punch samurai sequel Ghost of Yōtei is out now on PS5. If you’ve played the first hour or so, you will have encountered a very cool new feature that was made possible by the technical capabilities of the PlayStation 5 itself. When Atsu, the new main character voiced by Erika Ishii, visits her childhood home during the prologue, you’ll see exactly what we’re talking about here. At the press of a button, you can send Atsu instantaneously into a childhood flashback. You’re standing in the exact same location, but you’ve travelled back in time to Atsu’s younger years when her parents were still alive. In the blink of an eye, you’re back in those happier days. It’s a neat trick, and one that we can imagine lots of other games trying to emulate in future. For example, It would work super well for the Star Wars Jedi games, where the lead character already senses ‘echoes’ of the past. On the eve of the Yōtei’s launch, we had the chance to ask Nate Fox, one of the game’s directors, about the thinking behind this feature and how it is even possible. So, what was thinking behind the flashbacks? In Fox’s words: “We really want players to be able to experience Atsu’s youth. You know, why does she love her mum so much, who just hen-pecks her to keep practicing her shamisen. Or her dad, you know, making dad jokes. The kind of things that you can relate to, so that, when Atsu is furious about the life that was stolen from her, you understand. “And because it's a video game, of course, you get to play the thing. And I don't know you, when you play video games, I tend to say, like, ‘Oh, I died on that level’. You are the character. And that's a great thing about games, right? That they're immersive on that level, that is unique.” This seamless cutting into Atsu’s early years, as we assumed, was it by any chance made possible by the Solid State Drive in the console itself? “You're right,” Fox told us. “It is, in fact, because of the power of the SSD on the PlayStation 5 that we can have, effectively, the level loaded twice. “And early on, we wanted to do that for the exact reason I was just talking about, so that players would be in charge of being able to go from this kind of sad, cold, lonely reality that she starts as, she's a lone wolf, and then effortlessly go back into that moment of remembering what this place was like, when it was when it was warm.” Fox added an interesting question: “Have you ever had the experience of going back to your parents’ house and walking into the bedroom you grew up in, and whether you like it or not, memories come to you? “That’s what we were going for, right? That whether you like it or not, the past is still real, alive in your mind. And it seemed like a thing that would be cool to put into a game.” Indeed, it is cool. And unlike the studio’s previous game, Ghost of Tsushima, Yōtei is not launching on PS4. And this heartwarming feature isn’t the only upgrade you’ll see because of that. So, what else was made possible in the new game by stepping away from the old hardware? Fox explained: “It's great to be able to target one piece of hardware and go deep on it, particularly the DualSense controller, which, to me, is unbelievably cool. It does things that couldn't have didn't occur 10 years ago, right? “Haptics change your experience playing video games - instead of just sight and sound, you can feel things. Have you ever given your DualSense controller to somebody who doesn't play games, and they jump when the controller moves a little bit? And they're freaked out. It's like, ‘Oh, this is possessed by a ghost’, you know? Because they're not used to the game or media of any kind kind of coming at them through those vectors. It's really cool. “And so, by virtue of being just on PlayStation 5, we can really pour energy into making sure things like the controller get the attention they deserve.” Fox then offered up some specific examples of DualSense features in the game: “One of my favourites is you start a fire by kind of, oh yeah, making a spark with some flint. And it's just simply swiping up on the touch pad. But because what you do immediately represents the thing that would happen, while doing the flint, it feels like you're doing the flint. “Is this a major challenge in the game? No, it is not. It's just to make you feel immersed. And I appreciate that the controller can let players have this small experience that's real. And of course, we use it in all sorts of other ways, like Sumi-e painting, or feeling the clash of swords with the haptics. “It all adds up. But I like that we have the flexibility to let players encounter gameplay from a bunch of different formats.” Another example is forging a sword by physically moving the controller up and down. As Fox puts it, “By just kind of doing a basic hammering action, you make that heated metal get flattened out as you stamp out a sword. I don't know if you've ever fantasised about making a katana?” In Fox’s words, “It's all part of the fantasy.” And the tech inside the PS5 really helps it feel like you’re living out that fantasy. Ghost of Yōtei is out now on PS5 and you can order your copy here. Check out the rest of this interview on the Radio Times Gaming YouTube channel. View oEmbed on the source website Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Which Ghost of Yōtei assassination target should you do first? Cool armour awaits if you choose wisely
Should you start with The Oni, The Kitsune or The Saito Brothers?
In the opening act of Ghost of Yōtei, not long after the prologue, you'll be given a choice between three different assassination targets to go after in any order that you please — The Oni, The Kitsune and The Saito Brothers. So, which of these Ghost of Yōtei quests should you tackle first? If you want to find some of the best-looking armour, nice and early in the game, there's definitely one of those three that we'd recommend above the others. That being said, Yōtei is a game that's all about freedom and player agency, so it's also worth following your heart on this one, rather than following orders from a stranger on the Internet. But if you would like just a little bit of guidance, read on! Should you start with The Oni, The Kitsune or The Saito Brothers in Ghost of Yōtei? When Ghost of Yōtei gives you the choice between going after The Oni, The Kitsune or The Saito Brothers, we would strongly recommend doing The Kitsune mission first. It's worth noting that all three of these quests are multi-part mission chains that will take you a few hours to complete. They'll each send you off to explore different parts of the map, and you'll be exposed to different opportunities in different orders depending on which of these you choose to pursue first. So, why do we recommend doing The Kitsune mission first? There are a few reasons for this recommendation, but the main one is this: cool armour awaits you if you follow this mission chain as a matter of priority. In the main image at the top of this article, we've included a picture of Atsu in her awesome black Nine Tail armour, which you'll be able to pick up free of charge during The Kitsune mission. This armour is worn by the shinobi clan of Teshio Ridge (the area you'll unlock and explore in The Kitsune mission chain), and it's designed with stealth in mind. A suit of armour that buffs your stealth stats? That will come in very handy if you prefer to play the sneaky way. You'll also able to pick up smoke bombs for the first time during The Kitsune mission. On top of that, speaking of stealthy perks... During the Kitsune mission, you'll be pointed in the right direction to unlock Kunai throwing knives, too. Keep an eye out for Hana's Farm in Teshio Ridge (the core location of The Kitsune quest), where you'll learn about Kunai for the first time. And then you'll be able to buy them, too. There are other benefits to The Kitsune quest, as well. The story in this mission chain has some great twists and turns, which will really show you what the Yōtei writing team is capable of. And you'll be in the right area to pick up the Kusarigama melee weapon! With all of that in mind, we'd thoroughly recommend The Kitsune quest as your first port of call in this chunk of the game, especially if you want to play the game in a stealthy shinobi style. Of course, all playstyles are valid here, so don't let us control you! Feel free to play however you want, and don't worry if you get lost and distracted along the way. That's all part of the fun. View oEmbed on the source website Read More: Will Ghost of Yōtei come to PC? Our release date speculation Ghost of Yōtei review: I've played these games before Ghost of Yōtei is "a very different animal" — watch our developer interview Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Walton Goggins is coming to Fallout 76: "We don't really explain why he's there"
Walton Goggins is coming to Fallout 76. Yep, you read that right! Prime Video's Fallout TV show is about to crossover with the video game franchise that birthed it in a pretty major way. Goggins's iconic TV character The Ghoul will arrive in the game later this year to host a new bounty hunting feature, timed to coincide with Fallout season 2. That bounty hunting feature will drop in a big new update, Burning Springs, which will also add a new region to the north-west area of the map. This new region, Ohio, has been inspired by Fallout 3 and New Vegas, to make sure it thematically resonates with the vibe of Fallout season 2. View oEmbed on the source website One of the key points of interest in this new region is Highway Town, where you’ll find The Ghoul doing some shady business in a bar called The Last Resort. He has a huge stack of bounties to hunt, and you’re gonna help him do exactly that. If you’re on the Fallout 76 private test server, you’ll be able to test out this cool new feature from 2nd October. The rest of us will have to wait until December 2025. To get ahead of the game on this one, Radio Times Gaming travelled to New York City to chat with two of the key developers of Fallout 76 about this exciting new development. So, how did they end up getting The Ghoul himself? Fallout 76 creative director Jonathan Rush told us: “So, it kind of happened organically. You know, with the new region, we wanted to figure out what the tentpole feature of the new update would be, and something that captured the spirit of that region and also the broader strokes of player feedback came to be bounty hunting, right? “And so, who better to host a bounty hunting feature than Walton Goggins? As The Ghoul. I mean, there's nothing better. So yeah, Walton Goggins, of course, being a big fan of Fallout, being a big fan of the games, this was a very, very easy fit to have this character be in this update. “It was great getting the script written out. There were some writers on our side and a writer on the show side, and they were collaborating there and getting the script into a good place. And, of course, that all comes together once Walton Goggins has that, as like a starting point, and he then really crafts that into his own character, which is The Ghoul.” What was it like, then, actually seeing Goggins in the booth delivering lines as The Ghoul? “It's amazing,” Rush admitted. “It was amazing watching him record these lines. I found it just astonishing, seeing how quickly he could just transform into The Ghoul, and you're not hearing Walton Goggins anymore. You're hearing The Ghoul. To me, that was just magical.” Jumping into the game ourselves, we tried to exhaust the dialogue options with The Ghoul to see what has brought him to Appalachia. After some probing, he did obliquely refer to a bounty that he followed out here, but he doesn’t get into details. “We don't really explain why he's there,” Rush told us. “He's simply there being The Ghoul. He's The Ghoul, as we would expect. He's The Ghoul, doing something that The Ghoul would do, with bounty hunting. “And so, taking it even further than that for this patch, for this update, didn't really seem wholly necessary. That's not to say that, perhaps, down the road, we learn more, or maybe we don't. But that's part of, I think, the allure, it's the mystery of The Ghoul. During our couple of hours of playtime with the new update, the bounty system revolving around The Ghoul proved to be very playable and enjoyable indeed. There are two different types of bounties you can pick up from The Ghoul — there are smaller ‘grunt hunts’ that you could happily handle on your own, and there are larger ‘head hunts’ that function more like raid battles, with other online players joining you to take on a more powerful enemy as a group. In both of these bounty types, there was a lot of humour to be found in the gameplay. The first grunt hunt we took on was just a scientist wandering around (very Fallout season 1 vibes), who didn’t put up much of a fight. This, in itself, was quite comical as we turned our very well-armed level 300 characters against him. One of the most memorable head hunts that we faced featured a very powerful old lady in a suit of souped up power armour. This was much trickier, even with a whole group of level 300 players. It’s a very good sign that, every time someone started a head hunt, I immediately wanted to drop what I was doing and join in with the fun. Certainly, The Ghoul feels right at home in Fallout 76, and it makes sense in the Fallout timeline that he would be alive and active at this point in the overarching story. It’s easy to imagine players new and old flocking to this feature once it drops in December. Bring it on! Read More: Is Fallout 76 good now? We asked its producer this trending question Fallout 5 release date speculation: Latest news on the next Fallout game Ella Purnell reacts to Fallout's "overwhelming" success Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Ghost of Yōtei review: I've played these games before
Not without some glorious moments, Yōtei feels overly familiar.
If you’ve seen one Japanese orphan avenging their parent’s death, have you seen them all? That’s the question that I can’t seem to shake after spending the last few weeks sinking all of my spare time into Ghost of Yōtei. Sucker Punch’s sequel to 2020’s Ghost of Tsuhima jumps forward hundreds of years to place a new hero, Atsu, into the lead role. It’s a whole new game with a new map to explore, a new story to unravel and new baddies to beat. So, why does it feel so familiar? In part, that’s down to the fact that, despite the freshly made surroundings, you are still following the guiding wind around on your horse, galloping through beautiful scenery, stopping off at hot springs and bamboo-slicing challenges along the way. So far, so Tsushima. Although this is a new game, the moment to moment exploration will easily evoke your experiences of Tsushima (and it doesn’t help that, Tsushima being a COVID-era core memory for many players, those experiences are baked very firmly into our minds). You can see why the Assassin’s Creed games normally jump, not just to a different time period, but to a totally different vibe and location with every new entry (Odyssey and Valhalla feel completely separate, for example). View oEmbed on the source website Speaking of Assassin’s Creed, that brings us to another major reason why Yōtei feels so familiar — the central narrative in Ghost of Yōtei is eerily similar to the central narrative of last year’s Assassin’s Creed Shadows. In the opening moments of the game, our main character, as a child, sees a beloved parent butchered before their very eyes. Years later, as an adult, she swears revenge on the mysterious mask-wearing villains who did it. One by one, you hunt them down. Stop me if you've heard this one before. Of course, there was an overlap in the production schedules of these two games, so you can’t entirely blame the totally separate creators for having similar ideas. But, it’s a shame for the Yōtei team that Ubisoft got their version out first (especially given that there must be a crossover in the audiences of these games). So, between the open world exploration that reminds me so much of Tsushima, and the lengthy story missions that remind me so much of AC Shadows, it’s hard to shake the feeling that there isn’t a huge amount of originality here. In fact, it makes me think of that much-memed scene from Squid Game season 2, where the frustrated returning hero shouts for all to hear: “I’ve played these games before!” Sadly, it’s hard to shake that feeling, and it did impact my enjoyment for large stretches of playtime. When the game doesn’t seem to be doing much that I haven’t seen before in recent memory, the urge to explore and to see more does start to wane. All of that being said, there are nuggets of greatness to be found in Ghost of Yōtei if you do take the time to look around and smell the roses. The game makes very cool use of the PS5’s speedy loading SSD technology, allowing you to visit Atsu’s childhood home and effortlessly cut back and forth between time periods. At the press of a button, you can jump into a flashback instantaneously, which is very cool indeed. Read more: Ghost of Yōtei is "a very different animal", as beloved mechanic gets a complete overhaul Underneath the hood, there is also some brilliant game design going on to blend the open world with the main missions whilst maintaining a sense of player freedom. For instance, at one point, I finished a main mission and wandered aimlessly into the open world. A little house in the middle distance looked interesting. On closer inspection, there was a story beat to find there which unlocked the throwable Kunai knives. It felt like I was freely exploring, but actually I was being guided to useful and interesting stuff. You love to see it. The performances in the game are also very strong, with Erika Ishii doing fine work as Atsu to guide the player through her story, allowing them to feel involved while still bringing plenty of personality to the character. Although Atsu is on a revenge mission, she does also have a gentler side and genuinely cares about people. Conveying all of that is pretty impressive. The storytelling is a bit more of a mixed bag. The game starts very abruptly and doesn’t give the characters much time to make an impact before chucking you into the open world. From there, you can tackle your targets in a number of different orders, which makes it difficult to deliver major story beats in a way that feels satisfying. Each of the ‘Yōtei Six’ baddies you have to take down comes with their own story, which feel very separate to one another, although there are some great twists and turns to be found in those individual quests. The graphics are a little inconsistent. For every beautifully rendered cut scene, there’s a mid-gameplay dialogue scene that looks a lot less polished. For every gorgeous vista, there’s a big dull field that feels like padding. That being said, the open world is littered with a decent amount of interesting situations to stumble your way into. View Green Video on the source website The combat is solid, ditching the stance system for more of a rock, paper, scissors situation where swapping weapons regularly will give you the upper hand against different enemies. Collecting all the weapons and throw-ables is a bit of a faff, though, and it would've have been nice to start the game with a fuller arsenal. The game's fast travel system, on the other hand, is available from the very start and makes it nice and easy to get around and find merchants when you need to upgrade your gear. This is a nice touch which saves you from being bogged down by any long journeys you don't want to take. All in all, there are lots of good ingredients in Ghost of Yōtei (the music is also great!), but with so much familiarity in the mix as well, it just doesn’t gel together for me into something that I’d strongly recommend to anyone but a superfan of this sub-genre. It has its moments, but I did get bored almost every time I picked it up, which is the last thing the developers will want to hear. By all means, if you loved Tsushima and AC Shadows and you don’t mind playing a sort of weird remix that blends the two into something new, give this a go and you probably won’t regret it. If you’d rather spend your spare time on something you haven’t seen versions of before, you probably would regret pulling the trigger on this one. Ghost of Yōtei launches 2nd October on PS5 and you can order your copy now. Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Richard Osman teases James Bond Easter egg and promises The Thursday Murder Club will "keep going for many years to come"
The author joined Radio Times for a special event.
Richard Osman is striding across his home turf at Kew, the royal botanic gardens just a few minutes’ walk from his West London house, on his way to a very important date with readers of Radio Times. It’s not unusual to see the TV quiz star/producer turned best-selling author cutting a contemplative (and very tall) figure behind the garden’s high brick walls, where he can sometimes be seen pondering a plotline or seeking refuge from his writing duties among its world-class collection of plants and trees. But last week Osman arrived at Kew with a different purpose: to attend a special ‘In Conversation With’ event hosted by Radio Times. Two weeks before, Netflix’s adaptation of his best-selling crime thriller, The Thursday Murder Club, took the streaming service by storm, packing out UK cinemas and sending the film to the top of the streaming charts. Although he would be the first to point out that he didn’t write the film, Osman is every bit the man of the moment, and fans clutching books, joined 750 lucky Radio Times readers, on a slightly soggy – the heatwave having finally broken – Thursday afternoon to catch a glimpse of the man himself, for an autograph, for a photo, and to take part in a quiz hosted by Osman and his Pointless friend Alexander Armstrong. Before the quizzing began, Osman took to the stage for an In Conversation interview with Radio Times's TV editor Caroline Frost. No stranger to the thunderous Heathrow flightpath, Osman had the audience laughing every time he identified a plane roaring overhead (‘British Airways… Delta… Virgin Atlantic’). After spilling the beans on his near 40-year career in television (including some not-to-be-repeated tales about which guests caused the most pain on Pointless Celebrities), talk turned to the residents of Cooper’s Chase. Now that Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim have been translated into a hit feature film, it was surprising to hear that Osman didn’t hear the voices of Celia Imrie, Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan and Ben Kingsley intrude on his imagination as he writes. “The thing is, I know who the characters are,” he said. “So for me, it's like Helen Mirren and Celia Imrie were playing them in a reconstruction. They're real. I know who they are. I don't know what they look like, but I certainly know how they feel.” However, the casting of one particular Hollywood star did inspire Osman to slip a knowing reference into his latest book, The Impossible Fortune, which hits bookshops on 25th September. “In the new book, the only thing I thought was, ‘I have to put some little kind of Easter egg in the new book.’ So, there's a scene in which Ron and Ibrahim discuss their favourite James Bond. And Ron's favourite James Bond is Pierce Brosnan. And Ibrahim's favourite James Bond is Timothy Dalton, by the way.” The audience discovered that one storyline, in particular, is a nod to his own family’s experience. “There's a big dementia storyline that goes through the first four books [Elizabeth’s husband Stephen – played by Sir Jonathan Pryce in the film – has dementia]. “My granddad suffered from dementia in his later years. If you talk to anyone with any experience of dementia, everyone's experience is different. Everyone's experience is individual, but you hope there are some universalities. I just wanted to talk about my grandfather's experience. “And one of my favourite things about the writing the book is that people come up to me and talk to me about the dementia in their family, and talk to me about their experience, and thank me for writing it in the way that I did. Which, hopefully, because it was very personal, has some universal appeal as well.” The success of the smash hit film hasn’t interrupted Osman’s writing routine, which sees him write 1,500 words two hours a day on whichever book is in hand. Although like many an author, he confesses he requires the discipline of a deadline to deliver, with a new book (roughly 90,000 words) being published every September, alternating each year between The Thursday Murder Club and his other series, We Solve Murders. Is he currently on course to deliver his next manuscript for May? It appears so, although he likened the experience to sitting down to do your homework at 7.30pm on a Sunday evening. The good news is that any fan worried about the series coming to a premature end can relax. “The characters are getting older, but I think that's okay,” he explained. “You might have to allow me that they don't age as quickly as they should do. The idea of writing a series where everyone's in their late 70s... I didn't really think that through. But John le Carré brought back George Smiley when he was about 109 or something. So, so long as we all suspend our disbelief, then I'll keep going for many years to come.” Which is no surprise. As it sounds like his characters have become old friends. “I came back to them after a year this time. And I just thought, ‘My God, they haven't even begun the things they want to do and they want to say’. “So far, the people who have read [book 5, The Impossible Fortune] say it's the best one. Which is lovely. I'll keep writing them, I guess, until it gets to the point where all of us together go, ‘Maybe something else? Maybe we do something new now.’ I'm usually quite good at working out when that point is, but I haven't reached it yet. “There's definitely this new one and another one. And my guess is there'll be many more to come.” The fifth Thursday Muder Club book, The Impossible Fortune, launches 25th September and you can order your copy now. The Thursday Murder Club film is available now on Netflix. Check out more of our Books coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
FM26 release date confirmed as Football Manager finally schedules its comeback
The FM26 release date has been confirmed, with the Football Manager video game series finally scheduling its long-awaited comeback. Of course, exciting comebacks provide some of FM's most enjoyable moments. But, in this case, the preceding 12 months have been something of a weird one for Football Manager fans. Returning players won't need to be reminded that last year's FM25 ended up being cancelled, with the franchise's shift to a new game engine ultimately being a bigger, longer, more difficult job than the team at Sports Interactive initially anticipated. And now, with the Football Manager social media accounts recently having lurched back to life, there's a big reason to celebrate. As Sports Interactive has announced today, the FM26 release date has been confirmed as 4th November 2025. Pre-order Football Manager 26 from Fanatical (Steam key) This, of course, is slap-bang in the middle of the period in which fans would expect a new Football Manager game to drop. On 4th November, the computer and console versions will launch across PC, Mac, Xbox and PS5. On that same date, the mobile version will arrive as a Netflix exclusive. Nintendo Switch players will have to wait a little bit longer, with that version not slated to drop until 4th December 2025. Here at Radio Times Gaming, we're very much looking forward to starting a new save and searching for new wonderkids (all the while fearing for our jobs). Football Manager 2026 will see the introduction of women's football to the series, at long last, which is sure to open up some fun new avenues for players. Sports Interactive gaffer Miles Jacobson said in a statement: “I’m honoured and delighted to be revealing Football Manager 26’s release date today. “Setting Sports Interactive up for the next 20 years and beyond was an enormous undertaking but I couldn’t be prouder of the efforts of the whole team over the past two years. “FM26 represents a landmark release in our quest to produce football management perfection and the whole studio is really excited to share it with the world.” FM26 pre-orders are open now with a £49.99 RRP. Bring on November! Indeed, it's nice to return to normal scheduling – it's been a long old wait since FM24 arrived in our lives, hasn't it? Read more on FM: FM24 wonderkids - young talent FM24 bargains - cheapest players FM24 starting budgets - richest clubs Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Pokémon Concierge event in Pokémon Go: Dates, times and what to expect
Pokémon Concierge is getting a special event in Pokémon Go, and we've rounded up all the key details on the dates, times and what's included for you. If you haven't had the pleasure to watch it, Pokémon Concierge is a delightful little animated series on Netflix. It has recently released its second season on the streaming service, and is well worth a watch. As ever, Pokémon goings-on in the real world means there will be Pokémon Go content to match. Keep on reading and we'll run through everything you need to know. When is the Pokémon Concierge event in Pokémon Go? UK dates and end time The Pokémon Concierge event in Pokémon Go started at 10am on Tuesday 9th September here in the UK (and everywhere else). The event will end at 8pm on Sunday 14th September, meaning that you have until the end of this week to make the most of what's in store. That's not a huge amount of time, so let's quickly get to the key details. What's included in the Pokémon Concierge event in Pokémon Go? Over on the official Pokémon Go website, Niantic has revealed a whole load of fun content for the Pokémon Concierge event in Pokémon Go. Below is a rundown of what you should expect. Pokémon debut Psyduck with a swim ring (can be shiny!) Wild encounters Psyduck with a swim ring (can be shiny!) Sealeo Shinx (can be shiny!) Raids One-Star Pikachu (can she shiny!) One-Star Magikarp (can she shiny!) One-Star Shinx (can she shiny!) Three-Star Arcanine Three-Star Dragonite Three-Star Luxray Timed Research "Timed Research focused on catching Pokémon and taking snapshots of wild Pokémon will be available throughout the event," the website states. "Complete tasks to earn Stardust, encounters with event-themed Pokémon, and more," it continues. Please note that Timed Research expires. The tasks associated with this Timed Research must be completed and their rewards must be claimed before Sunday 14th September at 8pm local time. Avatar goodies Meanwhile, in the in-game shop, there is a free new shirt! It's called Pokémon Concierge: Haru’s Aloha Shirt, and you can take a look at it above. There is also a paid research path that will get you "an event themed avatar pose". Event bonuses 2× Candy for catching Pokémon. Your Buddy Pokémon will bring you items more often. Increased chance to encounter Shiny Psyduck with a swim ring Psyduck with a swim ring caught from a wild encounter may have an event-themed Special Background Surprise encounters "Smile! You might have a surprise encounter with Pokémon and characters seen in Pokémon Concierge when you take a snapshot during the event," the website explains. On top of all that, there are also event-themed stickers to be found by spinning PokéStops and opening gifts. In the Pokémon Go web store, there is also an Ultra Ticket Box available to purchase (this includes and event ticket and 10 ultra balls). So, what are you waiting for? It's time to boot up Pokémon Go and check in with the Pokémon Concierge. And if you've got a spare minute, try our quiz below. View Riddle on the source website Read more on Pokémon: Best Pokémon gifts - the greatest merch Best Pokémon games on Switch - our ranking Best shiny Pokémon - the coolest creatures Best Dragon-type Pokémon - who's your fave? All cat Pokémon - the felines to catch Pokémon natures guide - all you need to know Pokémon type chart - strengths and weaknesses explained Legendary Pokémon - the full list Pokémon Scarlet and Violet cheats - handy hacks Pokémon Emerald cheats - what you need to know Pokémon Fire Red cheats - all codes Pokémon Go friend codes - and how to find them Pokémon games in order - where to start Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.