Key Note Gaming

FromSoftware games have always had a very distinct visual style, So much so, that it's usually pretty easy to predict when that iconic "FromSoftware" logo is about to pop up after a sudden fade to black, even in an announced game trailer for an upcoming FromSoft game. This is thanks to the many talented artists at the studio, and during my time at their office, I got a chance to sit down with one of them, Concept and Environmental Artist Saori Mizuno, to talk about her inspirations, the art direction she was given for Elden Ring Nightreign, and how it differed from her work on previous FromSoft games. IGN: So generally, what was different about working on Nightreign versus the base Elden Ring game, or and anything prior that you have worked on with FromSoftware? Saori Mizuno - Concept Artist on Elden Ring: Nightreign: In general, for Nightreign, we would receive an order for a design and then if it was myself in charge of that particular concept, then I would iterate...

Surprise! Nintendo has just released Animal Crossing: New Horizons ' first update in almost three years. It's not a particularly exciting update — the patch notes only tell us that May 27's update "improved the compatibility for multiplayer sessions between Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch" — but it marks the first time the relaxing sim game has had an any kind of backend refresh since November 2022. What "improved compatibility" means, we're not completely sure, but it's likely a small tweak to make sure players jumping onto Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Switch 2 can still visit the islands of their friends without incident and vice-versa. Animal Crossing: New Horizons will be playable on Switch 2, but unlike games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Kirby and the Forgotten Land , it's not getting its own bespoke Switch 2 Edition . It should be compatible for players getting a Switch 2 next week, however — unli...

Nintendo has confirmed that Nintendo 64 games available via the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription are getting three new features, but two of them are exclusive to the Switch 2. The three new features coming to Nintendo 64 games are customizable controls, rewind, and a CRT screen filter. However, only the view/change controls feature is available on the Switch, with all three available on the Switch 2 from the console’s launch on June 5. Switch users are already bemoaning the fact the CRT screen filter and rewind features are exclusive to Switch 2. “The power of Switch 2,” one post on Nintendo’s video showing off the features reads. “Being able to apply a CRT filter. Truly, this is the power of next gen hardware.” “Weird how a simple filter is locked behind Switch 2,” added another. CRT Screen Filter only for the Switch 2? Rewind only for the Switch 2? Nintendo, why are you doing this? pic.twitter.com/LzOwbz0LUO — Yorch Torch Games (@YorchTorchGames) Ma...

Indie publisher tinyBuild had their second annual tinyBuild Connect showcase today. IGN streamed the Connect live, and the showcase was packed with reveals of new games and release date announcements. Best of all, you can try almost all of the new games shown today via a playtest or demo — either now, or very soon. If you weren’t able to watch it live or just want a rundown of everything that was shown, we’ve got you covered. Here’s everything we saw during the show: Ferocious Is a Survival FPS with Dinosaurs You Can Team Up With The showcase opened with a brand-new look at Ferocious , where dinosaurs, mercs, and mechs clash in a lush but lethal survival FPS. The trailer teased the ability to tame apex predators and flip the food chain in your favor. The Steam playtest is live now, so it’s time to find out if you can survive the island’s deadly welcome. New Sand Trailer Shows More Desert FPS Action New footage rolled out featuring hulking, customizable “Trampler” walkers stompi...

Blacktail developer Parasight has announced Davy x Jones, a new first-person action-adventure game for PC and consoles where you play as infamous pirate Davy Jones. The catch? You're headless, and you'll wield that severed skull – along with plenty of weapons – as you seek your revenge against Blackbeard. Yes, you've been betrayed, robbed, and beheaded, but when you awaken in a pirate hell, you'll make your way through with your sword, gun, and sharp severed wit. Loot treasure across "nine islands floating on an infinite sea of clouds" while also piloting Abby, your half-ship, half-whale that serves as your base, artillery, and ally. And yes, you can absolutely fire devastating cannons at your opponents. “If you've ever dreamed of swashbuckling through the afterlife with your own severed head cracking wise beside you—this is your game,” said Parasight CEO Bartosz Kapron. Wishlist Davy x Jones on Steam if you're interested. Ryan McCaffrey is IGN...

Monster Hunter Wilds director Yuya Tokuda has revealed what's coming up in the May 28 Ver. 1.011 update, including "an abundance of new features and changes to the game including a collaboration with Street Fighter 6 ." In his latest Director's Letter, Tokuda said the team wanted "to provide more great content for you to enjoy as well as make various adjustments to make Monster Hunter Wilds even more fun to play," including new challenger, Street Fighter's Akuma. You'll get a full Arkuma armor set as well as layered armor, and whenever you have either set equipped, three items will be added to your item bar — assisted combo Akuma, Drive Impact, and Gou Hadoken (you can find out more about them on the official Monster Hunter website ). We're also getting eight-star "challenging" monsters in Ver. 1.011 — Gore Magala, Rey Dau, Uth Duna, Nu Udra, and Jin Dahaad will become available to hunt at HR 41 and higher; this will give players o...

Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake will release on October 30, 2025, on PC (via Steam and Microsoft Store), PS5, Switch, and Xbox Series X/S. Square Enix has just confirmed the RPG is also coming to Nintendo Switch 2 , too. We've also had an update on what, exactly, players can get if they pre-order the game in advance, as well as details of an all-new Collector's Edition. Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake Pre-Order Bonus Elevating Shoes x 1 Seed of Agility x 3 Seed of Magic x 3 Seed of Defence x 3 Seed of Life x 3 Players with existing save data for Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake and using the same account will get the following bonus in-game items in Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake: The Marvellous Makeover Kit contains: Dragon Quest I: One dog suit Dragon Quest II: One cat suit The cat suit’s design will change depending on which character it is equipped to. Square Enix stresses that all these items can also be obtained by playing the game — pre...