Gait Games

**Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – A Comprehensive Review**

Eighteen years after *Metroid Prime 3* debuted and eight years since its sequel was first announced, Nintendo has introduced *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, set to release on December 4 for the Switch and Switch 2. As Nintendo’s concluding prominent title of 2025, the excitement surrounding *Prime 4* has been substantial, particularly due to the strong demand from fans over an entire console generation. Nonetheless, early critiques suggest the game falls short of the high standards set by its esteemed predecessors.

Post-launch, reviews began to emerge, yielding a variety of opinions. Numerous critics conceded that while *Metroid Prime 4* is not a poor game, it fails to reach the levels of artistry established by earlier titles in the series. A notable shift in gameplay features a talkative companion, diverging from the typically immersive and solitary environments recognized in previous *Prime* installments, raising concerns over player immersion. Fortunately, several reviews indicated that the human characters, albeit somewhat predictable, do not overshadow the narrative as initially dreaded, permitting players to relish the exploration of the environment.

A debated topic among fans is the open-world format of the game, especially the manner in which Samus Aran traverses this realm on a motorcycle. Critics conveyed mixed feelings regarding the necessity of this feature. While some found it enjoyable, others argued that it detracted from the engrossing experience that the *Metroid* franchise is celebrated for.

From a narrative standpoint, *Metroid Prime 4* is portrayed as rich in world development, presenting abundant lore, yet many feel it lacks a cohesive story arc. It seems to serve as a precursor for forthcoming entries rather than a definitive storyline.

Concerns regarding character design indicated that while certain side characters were seen as somewhat shallow, they ultimately fulfilled their roles sufficiently throughout the game. Players appreciated the world-building elements woven into character interactions and the tactical assistance provided by AI companions during gameplay.

Gameplay elements, including Samus’s psychic abilities, were recognized for not significantly modifying the established first-person shooting dynamics, yet they positively influenced the challenge and enjoyment of boss battles and puzzles. The design of various settings maintained an engaging rhythm that encouraged exploration and discovery, successfully integrating the motorcycle aspect within the game’s central areas.

However, critics took issue with the overworld setup, particularly its conceptual execution. Although Sol Valley is the most interconnected environment featured in the *Metroid* series to date, reviewers highlighted the cumbersome nature of moving between locations. This was exacerbated by superfluous loading zones that interrupted the overall flow of the game.

The overall encounter with *Metroid Prime 4* seems to be a mix of various gameplay styles, creating an unsettling blend that leaves some with the impression that the game lacks a distinct identity. While instances of brilliance can be observed, many critics argued they are often eclipsed by clumsy design choices and unnecessary mechanics that detract from the charm of what made the *Metroid* series cherished.

Visually, *Metroid Prime 4* has garnered praise for its graphical quality on the Switch 2, achieving some of the most striking visuals witnessed on the platform. While certain details appeared inconsistent, the environments and Samus’s model received commendations for their design and aesthetic appeal.

In summary, while *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* presents certain excitement and magnificent settings, it also introduces challenges that may hinder its reception among devoted fans. Currently, the game feels like a trial project that, despite its promise, ultimately falls short of reframing the highly esteemed aspects of its predecessors. Subsequent sequels may need to refine these ideas to satisfy fan expectations.

Fortnite’s latest skin-shedding has seen the battle royale take on a more Hollywood-ish guise, with the new Pacific Break map parodying the American west coast. Epic have also taken the chance to add in self-revive items you can use to bring yourself back from the brink and an option which makes building simpler.

Meanwhile, the update’s rollout has seen one of the artists who created some graffiti of Back to the Future protagonist Marty McFly have to produce video evidence that their art wasn’t generated by flinging a prompt at AI amid allegations from fans, which follow Epic CEO Tim Sweeney calling for game storefronts to do away with AI disclosures.

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**Helldivers 2 PC Installation Size Greatly Decreased: An Announcement from Arrowhead Games**

*Helldivers 2*, Sony’s newest online cooperative shooter, has garnered a mixed reception, but a key point of debate was its excessive installation size on PC. Originally taking up a massive 150GB, the PC version was three times the size of its console versions. However, a recent update aims to resolve this concern.

On December 2, Arrowhead Games revealed a significant decrease in the installation size for *Helldivers 2*. The required disk space has dropped from around 154GB to just 23GB, effectively eliminating over 130GB. This cutback was facilitated by support studio Nixxes, which played an essential part in enhancing the game’s file organization.

The rationale behind the initial large installation size was the necessity to cater to different storage types. *Helldivers 2* was intended to be compatible with both solid-state drives (SSDs) and older mechanical hard drives. To guarantee quick loading times, Arrowhead incorporated redundant and duplicate files, which assisted older drives in functioning without lag. This approach harks back to earlier gaming days when numerous titles were launched on optical discs and consoles lacked the speed of contemporary SSDs. In contrast, console versions of *Helldivers 2* were compact since they utilized the effectiveness of SSD technology, eliminating the requirement for such extra data.

The recent update chiefly focuses on erasing these surplus files. Despite the considerable decrease, Arrowhead assures that loading times for users with older hardware will experience only slight delays—an acceptable trade-off for the reduced storage needs. Presently, this update is optional for PC players as Arrowhead examines it for any potential issues. Nevertheless, the studio intends to make this reduction mandatory in the forthcoming year to enhance the game’s accessibility and support.

In summary, these updates underscore Arrowhead Games’ dedication to enhancing player experience and accessibility, especially for PC users who might have been discouraged by the prior installation size. With the revised file structure, *Helldivers 2* aims to be more manageable while still providing an exciting gaming experience.

Since 1873, the team at Rock Paper Shotgun have gathered once a year to select what they believe to be the best PC games of all time. Admittedly, they only started writing the list down in 2021, but try not to hold their spotty recordkeeping against them.

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# Morning Checkpoint: Gaming News Roundup

## Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Concert Selling Out
Tickets for the European show of *Clair Obscur: Expedition 33* are vanishing at an astonishing rate. The A Painted Symphony tour has created tremendous excitement, with fans quickly claiming seats in major cities such as London, where tickets were gone almost immediately. Only a handful of places, including Bordeaux and Strasbourg, still offer availability, prompting demands for extra tour dates from eager fans.

## Megabonk’s Comeback at The Game Awards
In a surprising twist, *Megabonk* has rejoined the lineup for The Game Awards following a prior withdrawal by its developer. Previously taken out of the best debut indie game category due to the developer’s worries about meeting the requirements, it now sits in the player’s choice category. Fans are urged to cast their votes for this unique title as it prepares to compete again.

## Farewell to Tortellini, the Gaming Goldfish
Tortellini, the goldfish famous for its viral, motion-sensor-enhanced *Elden Ring* gameplay, has departed at the age of three. Despite struggling with a systemic bacterial infection, Tortellini made headlines for the impressive achievement of conquering tough bosses like Malenia and Consort Radahn. Owner Pointcrow has shared heartfelt condolences, emphasizing the joy Tortellini brought to their audience.

## Escape from Tarkov: A Player’s Milestone Achievement
In a notable event for *Escape from Tarkov*, streamer Tigz has officially finished the game after several years in Early Access. Accomplishing the daunting task of completing the final mission on the new Terminal map, Tigz became the first player to “escape,” albeit with the second-worst ending available. The hunt continues for the elusive best ending, leaving others optimistic for future triumphs.

## Free DLC Coming to Ball X Pit
*Ball X Pit*, the indie sensation from 2025, is poised to further enchant players with a variety of free downloadable content. With sales exceeding one million copies, the game will launch expansions titled Regal, Shadow, and Natrulaist throughout 2026, enhancing gameplay with new elements such as balls, evolutions, and characters.

## Mark Cerny and His Love for Pikmin
Mark Cerny, the mastermind behind the PlayStation 5, recently expressed his fondness for *Pikmin*, emphasizing the emotional richness of its story. In an interview on *My Perfect Console*, he reminisced about the challenges faced by Captain Olimar, underscoring that smaller, emotionally compelling games resonate profoundly with him.

## In Case You Missed It
Stay tuned for more thrilling news and updates from the gaming sphere, as there’s always something fresh and exciting on the horizon!

If a CEO says their company is going to do that something sounds ridiculously unrealistic, or borderline unachievable if you actually take a second to think about it, you can probably assume that this is for the ears of shareholders. With that said, CD Projekt Red recently held a financial call (thanks, IGN), where co-CEO Michał Nowakowski made some comments about The Witcher 4… and The Witcher 5 and 6, all of which are apparently planned to be released within a six-year period. Right!

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**EA’s Live-Service Revamp of *Skate*: Season Two and Character Controversy**

EA’s live-service reinvention of *Skate*, which debuted in September 2025, is presently experiencing considerable growth and improvements with the launch of its second season. This update, which was made available on December 2, has generally been positively received by the community, bringing in new cosmetic items, a new skating environment, a trick known as the Impossible, and various enhancements to quality of life. However, one significant alteration that has faced backlash is the modified appearance of in-game characters, which many players believe now present a sickly and exhausted look.

After the rollout of Season Two, players noted a surprising makeover in their characters’ visual style. Some users on sites like Reddit and Twitter expressed their concerns, pointing out that characters were shown with dark circles under their eyes and altered skin tones, prompting playful jabs that compared their avatars to addicts or stoners. This unforeseen change triggered responses throughout the gaming community, with many users humorously questioning why their characters seemed “tired and odd.”

Feedback from the community showcases a spectrum of emotions regarding the updates. One Reddit user conveyed confusion over the new character appearances, while others embraced humor, claiming their characters had been “Ghoul’d.” A photo shared by a player depicted a character’s weary look, contradicting earlier assurances from developers about visual enhancements. Additionally, several players noted that their characters had different skin tones when they logged in to play.

While some players have voiced their displeasure regarding these modifications, others have remained supportive of the developers, acknowledging the positive aspects of the update. Reactions across social media are varied; many players lament the new appearance, while others have observed improvements in the overall gameplay experience. This range of opinions highlights the intricacies of live-service titles, where ongoing updates are anticipated to boost engagement but can also elicit strong community responses.

The team at EA, especially those at Full Circle, have pledged to further refine the game’s visuals and address player feedback. Nevertheless, amidst the current critique, it appears improbable that the option to switch between the former and current character aesthetics will be introduced. Players continue to hope for advancements that align with their preferences, looking forward to potential future updates that may tackle the widespread concerns about character looks.

As *Skate* progresses, the development team seems committed to elevating user experience and heeding player feedback during the game’s continual development. The discussion surrounding character visuals illustrates that while the community welcomes new content, the aesthetic consistency of in-game avatars is also a vital factor in player contentment that requires careful attention in future updates.

“Where the hell did that goblin go?” asks a mean knight of some sort whose English accent is of questionable authenticity at the beginning of the latest trailer for Styx: Blades of Greed. This is a reasonable question! When the goblin stealth game was revealed earlier this year, it was slated for a 2025 release, except the rest of the year is in very short supply. So, this trailer acts as a double way: a confirmation of a delay, and the announcement of a proper release date.

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When the situation stabilizes regarding the $55 billion leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts (EA), Saudi Arabia will rise as the leading stakeholder, holding an impressive 93 percent of the firm. Although a group of investors, including Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, participated, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia will primarily steer this pivotal transaction.

Typically, sovereign wealth funds like the PIF play a less significant role in buyouts spearheaded by private equity firms. However, in this instance, the dynamics are distinctly inverted. The consequences of this shift are profound, raising doubts about Saudi Arabia’s capability in overseeing one of the largest video game publishers in the U.S. The interests of other investors are minor, with Silver Lake and Affinity retaining 5.5 percent and 1.1 percent stakes, respectively. Given their pre-existing ties to Saudi investment funds, their involvement seems more aimed at easing the foreign acquisition than providing noteworthy support.

According to The Financial Times, Kushner was instrumental in brokering the agreement between Saudi Arabia and EA, although the exact timing lacks verification in SEC documents. This discussion follows a recent meeting between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) and President Trump concerning various trade deals, during which concerns about the Prince’s contentious actions, including his suspected role in the killing of a Washington Post journalist, were minimized.

The PIF’s financial health has been questioned as the fund has started withdrawing investments from several U.S. firms amidst increasing economic turbulence in Saudi Arabia. This unstable scenario has made it imperative to secure $20 billion in loans to finance the EA purchase, raising alarms about sustainability and future operational approaches. High-interest debt will require management, potentially resulting in significant budget cuts or asset sales at EA.

EA shareholders are anticipated to vote on the buyout offer shortly, with the aim of finalizing the agreement by mid-2026. While this shift may threaten numerous positions within the company—famous for franchises like Madden, EA Sports FC, The Sims, and Apex Legends—the financial rewards for investment banks involved in the deal remain substantial. Goldman Sachs is set to receive a historic $110 million for its involvement in facilitating the acquisition.

The results of this buyout could profoundly alter the video game industry landscape, as Saudi Arabia tightens its grip on one of its most significant entertainment properties, positioning it in a central role within the global gaming framework.

I can only assume that Halloween’s proximity to Christmas is the reason as to why there is so much winter holiday horror media. Perhaps it’s even just as simple as the fact that people like it when Christmas is a little bit messed up! Either way, I do actually enjoy some Chrimbo horror, so I’m pleased to see the return of Haunted PS1’s Madvent Calendar this year, which just so happens to have launched today.

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