Escape From Tarkov has a new player problem, and its Director blames unnecessary complexity

Escape From Tarkov was foundational in defining the modern extraction shooter. Its high-stakes, single-life approach to FPS games was a breath of fresh air, but the genre has since branched out. With everything from the likes of Arena Breakout Infinite and Marathon to more divergent offerings such as Arc Raiders and Gray Zone Warfare, by…

Video: Metal Gear Solid 4 Side-By-Side Graphics Comparison (Switch 2, PS5, PS3)

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 launches on the Switch 2 (and Switch) on 27th August 2026, and as we’ve previously mentioned, MGS4 is finally free from PS3 exclusivity. YouTube channel ‘ElAnalistaDeBits‘ has now released a side-by-side graphics comparison, showcasing the Switch 2 version of this game alongside the original PlayStation 3 release as…

5 Years Ago, Double Fine Boldly Tried to Reimagine the AAA Machine

Psychonauts 2 turns five years old this month. Its existence, and Double Fine’s story, are inextricably tied to Xbox for better, as Microsoft funding let Double Fine finish the game, but mostly for worse. Double Fine is once again independent after Xbox mismanaged its brands for years and its leadership ultimately decided that its studios,…

Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Twitch Over AI Training

Earlier this month, Twitch introduced a new program that would use its streamers as AI training material. Disappointing, unsurprising, but seemingly optional, what was most distressing was that users were automatically opted in by default. Unsatisfied with the implementation and implications, one creator has launched a class action lawsuit against Twitch and its monolithic parent…

Protect the Border codes (August %year)

Take an elongated break to redeem these new Protect the Border codes, and you’ll boost your chances of completing a shift without letting a dangerous criminal or little green man into the country. Protect the Border drops you into the role of a bored, exhausted, and grumpy guy tasked with checking trunks and keeping baddies…

New PS5 DualSense Edge Model Seemingly Arriving Soon

A regulatory filing suggests that Sony will be releasing a revised model for its pricey PS5 controller, the DualSense Edge, in early 2027. Hawk-eyed fans spotted official documents for an incoming Sony Interactive Entertainment product that has the same code as the high-end controller. Revised PS5 DualSense Edge controller model possibly outed by FCC documents…

It’s been 25 years and I’m still not over one of the greatest songs to grace JRPGs

Critical Hit (Image credit: Future) Welcome to Critical Hit, where I (or someone else on the PC Gamer team) celebrate and lament all things videogame music, audio design, and the ways our favourite games make our ears tingle. Last month, Final Fantasy 10 turned 25 years old—a fact that has utterly shaken my perception of…

‘Peter Pan Stalker’ Latest Stress Test On Online Boundaries

When your character already has a syndrome named after them, it runs the risk of an abnormally intense fan base. In recent weeks, Disney content creator Toni Kulusich has been accused of being a stalker, fixating on actors playing Peter Pan at the parks. Kulusich, who visits Disneyland around once a week, spoke to WIRED…

As another Modern Warfare 4 beta update adds a new map, IW admits spawns “need to improve”

Infinity Ward’s second round of Modern Warfare 4 beta patch notes are here, and there’s plenty more to dig through as the developer tweaks its newest multiplayer game in response to public testing and feedback. This time we’ve got another new map, Lotus, continued audio tuning, more weapon balancing, and the introduction of 3v3 Gunfight….

Box Art Brawl – Duel: SimCity (SNES)

North America / Europe Image: Maxis / Launchbox The western design for SimCity is pretty iconic at this point, utilising building rooftops to spell out the game’s title. Simple, but effective! The use of colour in the text kinda looks like a sunset too, and we’re always up for a good sunset, y’know. Overall, a…