Table of Contents
This week, the gaming world got a jolt of adrenaline with the inaugural Galaxies Games Showcase dropping over 50 game reveals, alongside Nintendo’s Switch 2 hype and Assassin’s Creed Shadows’ ongoing sales woes. From indie gems to AAA teases, April 14–18 is delivering a whirlwind of news. Let’s unpack the Galaxies spotlight and what else is shaking up the scene as of 3:46 PM EDT today.Galaxies Games Showcase: A New Star in the SkyOn Thursday, April 17, the Galaxies Games Showcase debuted on Twitch, hosted by GamesRadar and boasting two hours of non-stop reveals from over 40 developers, including heavyweights like Konami, Remedy, and Kepler Interactive. Founder Chris Thomas pitched it as a platform where “games of all sizes could shine,” and it delivered with a mix of world premieres, shadow drops, and deep dives.Standouts included The Knightling, a fantasy action-adventure from Saber Interactive and Twirlbound, showcasing a pint-sized hero wielding a massive shield. Its new trailer, paired with a Steam demo, has X buzzing about its summer launch on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch. Jagex’s RuneScape: Dragonwilds, a freshly launched open-world survival game, got a meaty trailer, flexing its ambitious pivot from the iconic MMORPG roots. Remedy’s FBC: Firebreak, a three-player co-op spin-off from Control, teased chaotic fun, while Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stunned with its haunting art—both are 2025 must-watches.Four shadow drops stole the show: Kepler’s physics-puzzler Bionic Bay, Amplifier’s team-based Neighbors: Suburban Warfare, Tiny Dragon’s trap-filled Golf Gambit, and a rhythm-adventure demo for UNBEATABLE (where music’s a crime). X posts called it a “diverse feast,” though some, like@pushsquare, noted only Expedition 33 and niche titles like Hear Tell of a Haunting stood out for them. Still, with 50+ announcements, Galaxies carved a niche in a post-E3 world—here’s hoping it sticks.Switch 2 Pre-Orders Fuel the Hype TrainNintendo’s Switch 2 continues to dominate after last week’s April 2 Direct and April 9 pre-order launch. Priced at $449.99 (or $499.99 with Mario Kart World), it’s set for June 5, 2025, with Kirby Air Riders, Donkey Kong Bananza (July 17), and ports like Elden Ring. X is split—fans are stoked for magnetic Joy-Cons and a beefier display, but the $450 tag stings. Posts predict a sellout, with Mario Kart World’s 24-racer chaos driving demand. Nintendo’s betting big, and this week’s chatter proves it’s working.Assassin’s Creed Shadows: Patched Up, Still SinkingAssassin’s Creed Shadows (launched March 20) got a lifeline with an April 8 patch fixing auto-follow mounts and glitchy stealth, plus PS5 Pro perks. Ubisoft’s Jonathan Dumont teased a harder difficulty mode, but the damage is done. Steam charts show it trailing Monster Hunter Wilds and WWE 2K25, and X posts brand it “Ubisoft’s weakest AC launch.” Despite 3 million players (Ubisoft’s March 27 claim), bugs, bloat, and microtransactions are killing the vibe. It’s a far cry from Rise of the Ronin’s samurai swagger last month.Star Wars Zero Company Leaks Ahead of CelebrationStar Wars fans got a treat—and a leak. Respawn and Bit Reactor’s turn-based tactics game, reportedly titled Star Wars: Zero Company, is set for a big reveal at Star Wars Celebration in Japan tomorrow, April 19. Leaks via MP1st suggest an isometric view, Mandalorian mercs, and a prison rescue mission, crafted by ex-Firaxis devs (think XCOM). X is hyped, but with Respawn’s third Jedi game distant and Knights of the Old Republic’s remake crawling, this is Star Wars’ gaming hope for now.Current Champs: Wilds and BeyondMonster Hunter Wilds (February 28) remains king, ruling Steam and Twitch with Capcom’s “record engagement” flex. Split Fiction (March 6) holds its 90 Metacritic throne—X calls it “co-op perfection.” WWE 2K25 (March 14) keeps slamming, boosted by NCAA March Madness streams. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (April 24) is building steam post-Galaxies, and Forza Horizon 5’s PS5 drop this month has Sony fans curious. April’s stacked, and these titles are proof.The Wrap-UpThe Galaxies Games Showcase lit up April with The Knightling, Dragonwilds, and shadow drops, proving there’s room for new players in the showcase game. Switch 2 pre-orders are flying, Shadows is stumbling, and Star Wars: Zero Company teases a tactical win. Wilds and Split Fiction keep the fires burning. What’s got you hyped—Galaxies’ indie gems, Switch 2 fever, or something else? Drop it below—I’m listening.
Comments