You read that right: Nook News is back! Just in time too, as there’s an incredible amount of news to go over! Without any further delay, let’s get into the return of Nook News:
Visual Novel News:
Denpasoft has announced that Nekopara After will be released on their store (NSFW) on 12th June, 2025. It was previously set to release on 22nd May, 2025 but was delayed. At this time, it is unknown whether it will be released on Steam as they are still waiting to find out whether it will be approved or not. It may be released at the same time, at a later point, or not at all.
Having recognized Minaduki Kashou’s talents in running his patissiere, Beignet felt her role was over. So she closed La Soleil in France and entrusted Fraise, the catgirl she raised, to him. Fraise feels a fondness towards Kashou but becomes bewildered in the face of his 6 catpanions. She turns to Shigure for advice but she too harbors a hidden love for him. Fraise feels that the relationship between siblings is the most important while Shigure feels the happiness of her catgirls is what is most important. Motivated by their desire to make sure the other is able to fulfill their love for Kashou first, the battle between catgirl and girl begins!
Yuzusoft have announced their newest title, Limelight Lemonade Jam due to release on 26th September, 2025. Only a Japanese release has been announced at this time, but it seems likely that NekoNyan will release it in English at a later point as they have with all post-2015 Yuzusoft-developed visual novels so far.
It has a band-themed story which follows a talented bassist without a band who is living life aimlessly. One day he meets Ena Harumi, an amateur performing on the street and this encounter turns his life around. Other main heroines include a childhood friend, a colleague from a part-time job, and a young lady from a wealthy family. You can learn more about the story and characters on the Yuzusoft website.
Gaming News:
It’s that time of year again: Summer Game Fest recently took place, and as expected, there were a ton of announcements! Let’s get to the rundown of the highlights:
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds got a bunch of new information, including some surprising character reveals! On top of Sonic and friends, you’ll also be able to play as Hatsune Miku, Ichiban Kasuga from Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Joker from Persona 5. If you purchase the Season Pass, you’ll also have access to Minecraft content too.
Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC on September 25th. A Nintendo Switch 2 version has been confirmed and will be released sometime in the future.
Watch the Summer Game Fest trailer for Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds
Remember that anime-inspired souls-like from Bandai Namco that was released a few years ago? If you do, you’ll be happy to hear it’s getting a sequel: Code Vein II! The story takes place across both the past and present, with the blood draining mechanic from the first game returning in this sequel.
Code Vein II releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Code Vein II
After its initial announcement last year, we’ve been given another look at Capcom’s return to the Onimusha franchise! Onimusha: Way of the Sword‘s new trailer gave us a taste of the game’s combat and the many enemies you’ll encounter. The end of the trailer also teases a new character that has some kind of connection with the main character’s gauntlet.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword will be available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2026.
Watch the Summer Game Fest trailer for Onimusha: Way of the Sword
Square-Enix unveiled a new multiplayer mystery game titled Killer Inn! You and 23 other players are placed in a mansion and it’s up to you to figure out who are the killers amongst the group. The twist is when someone is killed, they leave behind evidence you can use to try and determine who the murderer is. Once you have enough evidence, you can use one of the many available weapons or traps to bring the fight to them. If this sounds interesting, a closed beta test will be coming at a later date.
Killer Inn is coming exclusively for PC. No release window was announced at this time.
Watch the announcement trailer for Killer Inn
Mafia: The Old Country got a cinematic trailer that highlights parts of the game’s story. Set in 1900s Sicily, you take on the role of Enzo Favra as you try to make a name for yourself within the world of organised crime.
Mafia: The Old Country launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on August 8th.
Watch the Summer Game Fest trailer for Mafia: The Old Country
More content for Lies of P is on the way in the form of a DLC expansion! Lies of P: Overture is a prequel to the events of the main game as you explore brand new locations during Winter in the city of Krat. You’ll also face all-new bosses with access to brand new weapons, such as a set of sharp claws and even a gunblade. But that wasn’t all: the DLC expansion is now available to play!
Watch the launch trailer for the Lies of P: Overture expansion
Do you enjoy farm simulators? Do you also like psychological horror? Well, this next game will be absolutely perfect for you! Inspired by a true story, Fractured Blooms puts you in the shoes of a girl named Angie as you grow plants in your own personal garden, while also tidying your house. There’s a catch though: You’re stuck in a time loop with things slowly changing as the days progress.
Fractured Blooms is coming exclusively to PC. No release window was announced at this time.
Watch the announcement trailer for Fractured Blooms
The next big title from the creators of Shovel Knight is almost here! Mina the Hollower has you playing as a mouse named Mina on a quest to save a cursed island. Inspired by The Legend of Zelda, explore a world visually influenced by Game Boy Color games as you take on enemies with a variety of weapons. If you’d like to give the game a try, a demo is now available on PC.
Mina the Hollower releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on October 31st.
Watch the release date trailer for Mina the Hollower
The merc with the mouth, Deadpool is back, but not in the way you expect! Marvel’s Deadpool VR is exactly as the name implies: a VR game where you take on the role of the iconic Marvel character, this time voiced by Neil Patrick Harris. After signing a contract, it’s up to you in the shoes of Deadpool to travel across the Marvel universe in an attempt to make Deadpool rich.
Marvel’s Deadpool VR launches exclusively for Meta Quest 3 in late 2025.
Watch the announcement trailer for Marvel’s Deadpool VR
A new roguelike from Bandai Namco was announced! Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree is set in a mythical village inspired by Japan as you fight to restore the land’s peace by taking on a malevolent force known as Magatsu. You’ll be able to select from eight different characters; all with unique combat moves and the ability to forge more powerful weapons.
Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 19th.
Watch the announcement trailer for Towa and the Guardians of the Sacred Tree
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game is known as a modern classic beat ’em up, and fans of both the game and the franchise will be thrilled to hear it’s getting an all-new game! Scott Pilgrim EX comes from the same studio of Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game, with this new game having you go up against three different rival gangs: The Vegans, The Robots, and The Demons. In this new story created by series creator, Bryan Lee O’Malley, play as seven different characters in this manic beat ’em up that supports up to four players. And yes, Anamanaguchi will be returning to compose the game’s soundtrack.
Scott Pilgrim EX arrives for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC in early 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Scott Pilgrim EX
We finally have word on when we’ll get to play the new mech action game from Seasun games! Mecha BREAK is a free-to-play multiplayer game where you take control of a mech across three different multiplayer game modes.
Mecha BREAK launches for Xbox Series X and PC on July 1st.
Watch the release date trailer for Mecha BREAK
The third season of DLC characters coming to Street Fighter VI were fully revealed at Summer Game Fest! This new set will include Sagat, C. Viper, Alex, and Ingrid and will be released from this Summer to Spring 2026.
Watch the season 3 DLC trailer for Street Fighter VI
A new game from Chinese studio, Leenzee Games got a new trailer ahead of its release! WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers is a new souls-like set during the final years of the Ming Dynasty as you take on hordes of monsters that are the result of a strange illness.
WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on July 24th.
Watch the trailer for WUCHANG: Fallen Feathers
Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, or RGG for short, have finally given us more details on their next game: Project Century! We got a glimpse at the gameplay and the kind of story this game intends to tell, but that wasn’t all. The game now has an official title: Stranger Than Heaven.
Currently, no platforms or release window for Stranger Than Heaven have been announced at this time.
Watch the trailer for Stranger Than Heaven
To close out the Summer Game Fest presentation, Capcom announced a new game from one of their most successful franchises! Resident Evil Requiem was fully revealed, with it being the ninth mainline title in the series that is the follow-up to Resident Evil Village. The game is set in the year 2026 and sees the return of one of the most iconic locations in the franchise: Raccoon City. We won’t have to wait long to see more of the title, as it was confirmed that the game will be playable at Gamescom this year.
Resident Evil Requiem launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on February 27th, 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Resident Evil Requiem
But it wasn’t just Summer Game Fest this week, as Sony and Microsoft also had things to show. Let’s cover what Sony’s latest State of Play revealed first:
From the creators of Tetris Effect, they’re bringing back another classic puzzle game! Lumines Arise plays like the original puzzle game, but takes place over 30 stages as each one has a unique visual style to help immerse you in the game.
Lumines Arise releases for PlayStation 5, PlayStation VR2, and PC this Fall.
Watch the announcement trailer for Lumines Arise
Announced back in 2022, Capcom’s Pragmata was re-announced at this State of Play! Set on the moon, an astronaut named Hugh and a little girl named Diana are working together to get past the moon base’s artificial intelligence as they aim to get back to Earth. After many delays, we now finally have a full release window for the title.
Pragmata is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2026.
Watch the trailer for Pragmata
Grasshopper Manufacture and Suda 51’s next game was fully revealed and it’s just as weird as you’d expect! Romeo is a Dead Man has you take on the role of… well, Romeo. He’s stuck between life and death, making him what’s known as a Dead Man, and we follow him as he travels across the universe to take down wanted criminals. Utilise a mix of swords and guns in this bloody and gritty action game that fans of Suda 51’s games are more than accustomed to.
Romeo is a Dead Man releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Romeo is a Dead Man
Konami’s return to the Silent Hill franchise is fast approaching, so we got a new trailer going over more of the next game in this legendary franchise! Silent Hill f is set in 1960s Japan with you playing as a schoolgirl named Himako as you try to make your way through this corrupted version of her town. This game looks to have a more melee-focused combat system compared to other games in the franchise, but there’ll also be puzzles to solve too. To close out the trailer, we finally learned the game’s full release date.
Silent Hill f launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on September 25th.
Watch the release date trailer for Silent Hill f
A follow-up to the Castlevania-inspired title, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has been confirmed! Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement has you playing as Leo and Alex as they explore a dark and mysterious castle that is under control by the demon lord Elias. The game has a shifting day and night cycle which changes the environment, while you learn new moves in battle using what’s known as the Epiphany system.
Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement
The next entry in the Digimon Story RPG series received a new trailer and a full release date! Digimon Story: Time Stranger has you travelling between the human world and Digital World while raising the over 450 available Digimon to create a party to take on any threat. After Tokyo is destroyed by a mysterious explosion due to a strange creature, they then arrive eight years in the past to uncover the truth to try and change the course of history.
Digimon Story: Time Stranger releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 3rd.
Watch the release date trailer for Digimon Story: Time Stranger
A long dormant Final Fantasy spin-off title is finally getting some attention with a new remaster! Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles remasters the original PlayStation classic with some quality-of-life features, a full overhaul of the visuals, and the inclusion of voice acting. What’s more, you can also switch to playing the original version of the game if you want a truly authentic experience without all the changes.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC on September 30th.
Watch the announcement trailer for Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
Digital Eclipse’s next next retro collection is a big one! Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection re-releases Mortal Kombat 1-4, which includes both the arcade version and the home console versions. This also includes the handheld versions of some of the games too. Alongside this, the collection also has online play with rollback netcode and an interactive documentary that covers the history of this legendary fighting game franchise.
Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection arrives for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC in 2025.
Watch the announcement trailer for Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection
We’re just two months away from Metal Gear Solid‘s return! During the State of Play, we got some more gameplay footage for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, including the monkey catching mode where the monkeys from Ape Escape are causing havoc.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on August 28th.
Watch the trailer for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
Koei Tecmo are making a brand new Nioh game! Nioh 3 is set in an open environment that has you exploring the land and taking out the many terrifying yokai. This new game includes two combat styles: Samurai Style and Ninja Style, and will also include multiplayer support. What’s even better is a demo for the game is now available for PlayStation 5 until June 18th.
Nioh 3 releases for PlayStation 5 and PC in early 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Nioh 3
The creators of Journey are back with an all-new game! Sword of the Sea has you traversing the land with a flying sword that acts like a mix between skateboarding and snowboarding. You play as the Wraith and your goal is to find an ocean beneath the earth while also finding out the history and culture underneath too.
Sword of the Sea launches for PlayStation 5 and PC on August 19th.
Watch the release date trailer for Sword of the Sea
After teasing the project, IO Interactive have fully unveiled their new James Bond game! Titled 007 First Light, take on the role of James Bond before he became the iconic agent from MI6. Travel around the world, drive in iconic vehicles, and either go guns blazing or take a more stealthy approach during action sequences.
007 First Light arrives for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC in 2026.
Watch the trailer for 007 First Light
To wrap up the PlayStation State of Play, we got quite the surprising announcement: a brand-new Arc System Works fighting game based on a famous IP! Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls takes Marvel’s iconic characters and pits them against each other in a 2.5D fighting game. The big focus of this game is that it’s a 4-versus-4 game, meaning you can select four characters to take on your opponents.
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls releases for PlayStation 5 and PC in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls
But what about Microsoft? Their Xbox Showcase was no slouch either, so let’s go over their highlights as well:
The show started with a trailer that unveiled gameplay for one of Obsidian’s next games: The Outer Worlds 2! But that wasn’t all, as after the showcase ended, we got an extended look into the game and its world, characters, and mechanics.
The Outer Worlds 2 launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 29th.
Watch the gameplay trailer for The Outer Worlds 2
A portable Xbox-branded device in collaboration with ASUS was revealed: The Rog Xbox Ally! There are two versions of the device to choose from: one that is a better value, and another that is a bit more expensive, but has higher performance. You aren’t just limited to using Xbox services either, as the device will also support other PC storefronts like Steam.
The Rog Xbox Ally will be releasing this holiday season.
Watch the reveal trailer for the Rog Xbox Ally
An indie classic is back, but in a whole new dimension! Super Meat Boy 3D brings the hard-as-nails precision platforming gameplay and transforms it into a 3D title. Those looking for a challenge or enjoyed the original game, you’ve come to the right place.
Super Meat Boy 3D releases for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in early 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Super Meat Boy 3D
The next mainline entry in the Ninja Gaiden series got an update in the form of a new trailer! Ninja Gaiden 4 is being developed in collaboration with Team Ninja and PlatinumGames where you’ll not only be playing as gaming’s most famous ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, but also a new ninja character named Yakumo.
Ninja Gaiden 4 is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on October 21st.
Watch the trailer for Ninja Gaiden 4
After the success of Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, fans of Indiana Jones’ latest adventure will be thrilled to hear the story isn’t quite over yet! A new DLC expansion titled The Order of Giants was revealed, with this new story taking place under the city of Rome.
The Order of Giants DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will be releasing on September 4th.
Watch the reveal trailer for The Order of Giants DLC for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
If I told you that the creators of Pokémon are making a 3D action game, you probably wouldn’t believe me, but it’s true! Titled Beast of Reincarnation, this action RPG is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan and you play as a woman named Emma, who is known as the Blighted One.
Beast of Reincarnation launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Beast of Reincarnation
A decently long trailer for a new game from inXile Entertainment was unveiled at the Xbox Showcase! Clockwork Revolution sees you go against dastardly villains who have the power of time travel. However, you also gain access to this power and it’s up to you to traverse the steampunk city of Avalon to change the future into a potentially more favorable one.
Clockwork Revolution arrives for Xbox Series X and PC. No release date was announced at this time.
Watch the trailer for Clockwork Revolution
Fans of Solo Leveling, you’ll want to sit up for this one! A new game titled Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive was announced. It’s an action-RPG that supports up to four player cooperative play in both the story from the original webtoon and game exclusive content.
Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive releases for PC this Fall, with an Xbox Series X version releasing in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Solo Leveling: Arise Overdrive
Fans of Xbox are surely familiar with the Gears of War franchise, but in a shocking surprise, the franchise is going multi-platform for the first time! A remake of the original Gears of War was confirmed, with this new version including full cross-play and cross-progression functionality, as well as including a split-screen co-op mode for those who prefer couch co-op. Two multiplayer betas for the game will be taking place from June 13th to June 15th and June 20th to June 22nd.
Gears of War: Reloaded launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC on August 26th.
Watch the announcement trailer for Gears of War: Reloaded
After the success of Persona 3 Reload last year, fans of the franchise have been eagerly awaiting what’s next for Atlus’ most popular franchise. The company gave us an answer in this Xbox Showcase by announcing a remake of Persona 4! Titled Persona 4 Revival, we got our first look at some of the environments from the iconic town of Inaba and a brief bit of gameplay of the protagonist exploring the town.
Persona 4 Revival is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC. No release window was announced at this time, but it was noted that the gameplay shown is from early development.
Watch the announcement trailer for Persona 4 Revival
The final announcement at the Xbox Showcase was for the next entry in one of the company’s biggest franchises! Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 was officially revealed in a cinematic trailer, with us getting a full reveal of the title later this Summer.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, and PC in 2025.
Watch the announcement trailer for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
But what about gaming news outside of some of the biggest events of the year? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered:
SAYIL GAMES and SHUEISHA GAMES announced a new game titled BAKUDO! This action boss-rush game has you going up against the most powerful members of the local academy, but you can only take them on in a sports game called BAKUDO. Taking influence from sports like volleyball and tennis, outplay your opponent in this face paced combat system.
BAKUDO will be coming exclusively for PC. No release window was announced at this time.
Watch the announcement trailer for BAKUDO
The next game in the popular Demon Slayer franchise is less than two months away, so we got a new trailer to go over what’s new in this sequel! Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 will cover content from the Entertainment District arc to the Hashira Training arc. New to this game are Dual Ultimates that lets two characters combine their powers into a devastating attack. You’ll also be able to equip gear to change up how you play both in the story mode and versus mode.
Demon Salyer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 launches for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC on August 1st.
Watch the trailer for Demon Salyer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2
The first DLC character for Bleach Rebirth of Souls was announced this week! Players will be able to play as Ichigo from the Thousand-Year Blood War arc, including a transformation that has yet to be animated in the anime adaptation. Players with the Season Pass will get seven days of early access to this new version of Ichigo, with it launching for all players on June 17th.. Alongside this new DLC, Ranked matchmaking will also be coming to the game.
Watch the trailer for the Ichigo DLC trailer for Bleach Rebirth of Souls
After its initial release last year, the latest entry in the Neptunia franchise is finally coming to PC! Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution puts you in the shoes of Older Neptune on a quest to build up a defunct gaming studio to hopefully make it a successful business once again.
Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution releases for PC in 2025.
Watch the PC trailer Neptunia Game Maker R:Evolution
The Legend of Zelda live-action film has been hit with a slight delay. In a quote from Shigeru Miyamoto, due to production reasons, the film will now release on May 7th, 2027.
Anime News:
The second season of My Dress-Up Darling has received its premiere date! The new season of the popular romantic comedy series has revealed that it will premiere on July 5th, with the announcement also including a new piece of key art.
Another manga adaptation is also premiering that week too! The anime adaptation of Gachiakuta will be premiering on July 6th, with the announcement being done in the form of a new trailer.
Watch the trailer for Gachiakuta
Upcoming Releases:
Over a year after its initial release on PlayStation 5, Shift Up’s popular action game is finally arriving on PC this week! Stellar Blade sees you playing as Eve, a soldier that lands on an Earth that has been overtaken by creatures known as the Naytibas. Not only will the base game be available, the DLC packs for both the NieR Automata and Goddess of Victory: Nikke collaborations will both be available for the PC launch.
Stellar Blade arrives for PC on June 11th.
An anime/gaming aficionado, experienced content creator and lovable goofball. Name a game genre and Seamus has likely played it… yes, even that one. Follow him @TrueStorySeamus
