Patch Notes #16 - weekly gaming digest
Welcome to the 16th edition of Patch Notes, let’s get this bad boy going.
This edition will cover the week from 24 March to 30 March.
What caught my attention this week
Behold, the unknown planet Viewros. Nintendo Europe
Nintendo has revealed some Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gameplay, set for release in 2025 on the Nintendo Switch (and probably Switch 2).
The game introduces new psychic abilities for Samus Aran as players explore the mysterious planet Viewros and guide her journey back home.
Biggest news of the week
Ubisoft announces the creation of a new subsidiary. Tencent will invest €1.16bn for a minority stake in the new subsidiary. More info
Ubisoft announces the creation of a new subsidiary. Tencent will invest €1.16bn for a minority stake in the new subsidiary. "This new subsidiary will focus on building game ecosystems designed to become truly evergreen and multi-platform.".
Assassin’s Creed, FarCry, and Rainbow Six will go under this new subsidiary.
Nintendo reveals Zelda movie release date via its new mobile app. VG Chronicles
Nintendo has announced that the live-action Legend of Zelda film will be released on March 26, 2027. The film will be produced by Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad, and directed by Wes Ball. Ball aims to create a movie that is serious, cool, fun, and whimsical, drawing inspiration from Studio Ghibli's Hayao Miyazaki.
This will be the third Nintendo franchise to receive a film adaptation, following the success of Detective Pikachu and the Super Mario Bros Movie.
Legendary composer Yoko Shimomura talked about her love for the piano. Genki Twitter
Legendary composer Yoko Shimomura expressed her love for the piano, describing its sound as beautiful and sentimental. She uses the piano as the base and signature sound for most of her compositions.
Personal note: she’s a legend, please spend sometime checking her works :)
Monster Hunter Wild's title update 1 releases on April 4 bringing in Mizutsune, Arch-tempered Rey Dau, the Grand Hub, and More . RPG Site
The first free Title Update for Monster Hunter Wilds launches on April 4, 2025. It introduces Mizutsune (HR 21+), Arch-tempered Rey Dau (HR 50+), and a new quest for Zoh Shia (HR 50+). The Grand Hub gathering area also debuts, offering minigames like Barrel Bowling, seasonal celebrations, and a communal space for hunters starting at HR 16. Additionally, new Arena, Challenge, and Free Challenge Quests are included, with unique rewards and varying restrictions.
The update brings the Festival of Accord: Blossom Dance (April 23 – May 7), adding seasonal decorations, special Event Quests, and limited-time equipment. Free and paid cosmetic DLC options, including outfits and Camp Gear, also arrive. The second Title Update, potentially featuring Lagiacrus, is teased for summer 2025.
CD Projekt reports the third best year for profit despite no major launches in 2024. GamesIndustry
CD Projekt reported its third-best year in 2024 despite no major launches. Its net profit slightly dropped to PLN 469.8 million ($121.5 million), with Cyberpunk 2077 and its expansion Phantom Liberty driving nearly PLN 600 million ($155.1 million) in sales. By November, Cyberpunk 2077 surpassed 30 million copies sold, while Phantom Liberty sold over eight million units.
The Witcher 4 entered full-scale production, and Project Sirius, a multiplayer Witcher game, remains in pre-production. The studio announced merging The Molasses Flood team into CD Projekt Red and plans to expand the next Cyberpunk project team significantly. Additionally, a collaboration with Scopely for a new game based on its IP was revealed.
5 of 8 Japanese AAA game stocks just hit all-time highs. KantanGames
The Japanese gaming industry is thriving despite challenges facing AAA studios in the West. Five of Japan's eight AAA game stocks—Sony, Nintendo, Konami, Capcom, and Bandai Namco—recently hit all-time highs. In contrast to North America and Europe, Japan's gaming market remains resilient, with companies hiring and increasing salaries. Key factors include strong financial performance, corporate governance reforms, and dominance in console and software markets, like PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. Capcom, Konami, and Bandai Namco stand out with recent blockbuster successes.
Phantom Blade Zero aims to build on Black Myth: Wukong's success and revive the "golden age" of kung fu cinema. EuroGamer
Phantom Blade Zero aims to build on the success of Black Myth: Wukong and revive the "golden age" of kung fu cinema. The game combines elements from various genres:
Combo-driven combat similar to Devil May Cry, but more approachable.
Interconnected level design like Dark Souls, without the high cost of death.
Atmosphere inspired by Resident Evil 4 and Alan Wake, with a unique "kung fu punk" aesthetic.
No Man's Sky's latest update, Relics, lets you become the space version of Ross from Friends by collecting big dead alien fossils. VG247
No Man's Sky's latest update, Relics, lets players collect alien fossils, introducing space paleontology. Inspired by Ross from Friends, players can unearth and assemble bones in museums. The update also adds Reanimated Guardians, Living Stone Sentries, and Colossal Stone Effigies to protect fossil beds. Players can trade fossils, join the Galactic Paleontology Society, and embark on new expeditions with rewards like a jetpack made of sentient rock and a skeletal animal companion.
Konami launched Edens Zero action RPG simultaneously worldwide on July 15. RPG Site
Konami will release the Edens Zero action RPG worldwide on July 15, 2025. Pre-orders are now open, featuring a robust attire customization system. Pre-order bonuses include platform-specific accessories, which will also be available as paid DLC later. The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition grants 72-hour early access.
Ten years later, Pillars of Eternity is getting a turn-based combat mode. EuroGamer
Obsidian Entertainment is celebrating the 10th anniversary of Pillars of Eternity by announcing a turn-based combat mode, set for testing later this year. While the full release date is unclear, the mode follows the successful implementation in Pillars of Eternity 2 in 2019.
Additionally, a new update, Patch 1.3.8.0.87535, has been released, bringing numerous bug fixes, visual improvements, and gameplay enhancements. Key updates include better platform support, audio and visual refinements, quest and dialogue fixes, combat balancing, and UI improvements. More details on the turn-based mode test will be shared in the near future.
Game Informer is back and the whole team is returning with it thanks to a new owner: Neill Blomkamp's video game studio. IGN
Game Informer is officially back after being shut down by GameStop in August 2024. Gunzilla Games, co-founded by Neill Blomkamp, secured the rights and is bringing back the entire editorial team along with production. Game Informer will operate independently under a new entity, Game Informer Inc., ensuring editorial freedom.
The team has resumed coverage with new reviews and their Best of 2024 awards. The print magazine will return later, aiming to be "bigger and better." Upcoming features include membership benefits, expanded video and streaming coverage, and broader expert partnerships.
Following 24 hours of Denuvo-based backlash, Inzoi is taking a surprising step and removing it entirely: 'We want to sincerely apologise for not aligning more closely with player expectations'. PCGamer
Following 24 hours of backlash over the inclusion of Denuvo anti-tamper software, Inzoi's developer, Krafton, has decided to remove it entirely. The community was upset about the lack of disclosure regarding Denuvo's inclusion. Director Hyungjun 'Kjun' Kim apologized for not aligning with player expectations and announced the removal of Denuvo from the Early Access build. This decision aims to make the game more configurable and enhance player experience. Krafton is committed to prioritizing community feedback and rebuilding trust.
Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves adds Cristiano Ronaldo as playable fighter. Gematsu
Cristiano Ronaldo will be a playable fighter in Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, combining football and martial arts. His character uses football techniques to become an unstoppable force. The game will be released on April 24, 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
SIUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 delayed to October 2025 . Wario64 Twitter
Multiple publishers ‘ready to delay their games’ to avoid GTA6 onslaught, it’s claimed. VG Chronicles
Multiple major video game publishers are reportedly prepared to delay their game releases to avoid clashing with the highly anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) this fall. Analysts expect GTA 6 to be the biggest release of 2025, prompting publishers to adjust their schedules. Some live service developers are also planning to shift major updates to avoid the game's launch window. The first trailer for GTA 6, released in December 2023, garnered over 100 million views in two days, highlighting the immense anticipation for the game.
Note: this news is sponsored by Captain Obvious, ICYMI.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle PS5 release date trailer sees uncharted's Nolan North accept Indy's Troy Baker into an 'Exclusive Club' of Adventure Games on PlayStation. IGN
Bethesda has announced that Indiana Jones and The Great Circle will launch on PS5 with early access on April 15 and a full release on April 17, following its initial Xbox and PC debut. To celebrate, a promo trailer features Indiana Jones voice actor Troy Baker alongside Uncharted star Nolan North, playfully acknowledging the connection between the two iconic adventurers. The interaction humorously highlights their different approaches to treasure hunting, with North’s character preferring to sell artifacts while Baker’s Indy insists they belong in a museum.
This PS5 release is part of Microsoft’s broader multi-platform push, bringing former Xbox exclusives to rival consoles. Indiana Jones and The Great Circle has already reached 4 million players and is expected to grow further with its PlayStation debut. Meanwhile, Harrison Ford praised Baker’s performance, stating that talent—not AI—is key to capturing Indy’s essence.
Sources: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is the series’ second biggest launch ever. VG Chronicles
Assassin’s Creed Shadows has become the series' second biggest launch ever, surpassing two million players in two days and delivering the second-highest Day 1 sales revenue, behind only Valhalla. Despite launching in March, Shadows marked Ubisoft’s best-ever Day 1 launch on the PlayStation digital store and generated over 11 million hours watched on Twitch. The game faced several delays and development issues but has brought confidence back to the franchise with its excellent gameplay, compelling narrative, and massive world.
Update: in the meantime it was announced that it went beyond the 3m mark.
Hogwarts Legacy Expansion and Definitive Edition canceled, sequel still in the works - report. Gamespot
Warner Bros. Discovery has canceled the planned expansion and Definitive Edition re-release for the popular game Hogwarts Legacy due to concerns about the amount of content not justifying the price. Despite this, a sequel is still in development by Avalanche Software. Warner Bros. is reorganizing its video game division, focusing on established IPs like Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Mortal Kombat, and DC. Hogwarts Legacy was the best-selling game of 2023 in the US.
The Pokémon company addresses TCG shortages and scalpers following Destined Rivals launch in a new statement. IGN
The Pokémon Company has acknowledged the difficulties fans are facing in purchasing recent Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) sets due to high demand and scalping issues. In response, the company is actively working to print more of the impacted sets, including the latest release, Destined Rivals, and other popular sets like Prismatic Evolutions and Blooming Waters.
To address these issues, The Pokémon Company plans to maximize production for future expansions and reprint impacted products to replenish stock. They are also committed to improving the purchasing experience on the Pokémon Center by using technology to prioritize getting products to fans.
Nintendo quietly confirmed the Switch 2's C button in Nintendo today's promo. GameSpot
Nintendo has accidentally confirmed that the mystery button on the Switch 2 is a "C" Button through promotional material for the Nintendo Today app. This reveal followed the March 2025 Nintendo Direct, which also featured announcements like virtual game cards and Metroid Prime 4.
The exact function of the "C" Button remains unknown, but speculation suggests it could be related to cursor control, similar to a mouse. More details are expected in an upcoming Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025.
Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots announced for PS5, Switch, and PC. Gematsu
Everybody’s Golf: Hot Shots has been announced for PS5, Switch, and PC by Bandai Namco, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and developer HYDE. The game is set to launch in 2025.
The game will feature classic, intuitive controls, allowing players to aim and press a button three times to master the perfect shot. It will offer both online and offline modes, including single and multiplayer options. Players can climb ranks in Challenge Mode, enjoy local multiplayer with up to four players, compete online, and try out Wacky Golf for a unique twist.
Tomodachi Life: Living the dream coming to Nintendo Switch in 2026. GameSpot
Nintendo has announced Tomodachi Life: Living The Dream, a new installment in the life-sim series, set to launch for Nintendo Switch in 2026. This will be the first Tomodachi Life game since the original in 2014. Players can create Mii characters and have them live on a tropical island, experiencing various wacky situations.
The announcement was part of a Nintendo Direct presentation that also featured updates for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Pokemon Legends Z-A, and Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake. Another Direct focused on the Switch 2 is scheduled for April 2, 2025.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown coming to iOS, Android on April 14. Gematsu
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will be released for iOS and Android on April 14. The game, already available on various consoles and PC, is an action-adventure platformer set in a mythological Persian world. Players control Sargon, a young hero on a mission to rescue Prince Ghassan.
The mobile version includes all features of the original game, with new customization options, 60 FPS support, customizable touch controls, and external controller support. Players can also toggle options for easier gameplay, such as Auto-Potion and Auto-Parry.
Arcade-style beat ’em up game MARVEL Cosmic Invasion announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC. Gematsu
MARVEL Cosmic Invasion, an arcade-style beat 'em up game, has been announced for PS5, Xbox Series, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC by Dotemu and Tribute Games. The game will launch in 2025.
Dotemu CEO Cyrille Imbert expressed excitement about working with Marvel's iconic characters, while Tribute Games CEO Jean-Francois Major highlighted the team's passion for both Marvel and classic arcade games. Marvel Games head Haluk Mentes emphasized the privilege of creating games they love to play.
Rift of the NecroDancer for Switch now available alongside DLC ‘Celeste Music Pack’. Gematsu
Rift of the NecroDancer is now available for Switch via the Nintendo eShop, along with the new Celeste Music Pack DLC. The game, which first launched for PC on February 5, is a rhythm game spinoff where players help Cadence navigate the modern world and repair rifts through rhythmic battles, minigames, and boss fights. The game features a new soundtrack by Danny Baranowsky, mod support, and online leaderboards.
Ex-PlayStation exec says NieR: Automata revived the Japanese games industry, convincing it to stop chasing overseas trend. IGN
Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida believes NieR: Automata "revived" the Japanese game industry by encouraging creators to focus on making uniquely Japanese games rather than chasing overseas trends. Yoshida noted that the success of NieR: Automata showed that Japanese games could sell well internationally without imitating foreign styles.
NieR: Automata has been a significant success for Square Enix and its creative team, leading to an anime adaptation and numerous cameos for its protagonist, 2B. While the future of the series is uncertain, Yoshida's comments highlight the game's lasting impact on the industry.
Inzoi's launch is going better than I expected with 'very positive' reviews and 87,000 concurrent players and everyone is almost being normal about it. PCGamer
Inzoi's early access launch has exceeded expectations, with over 87,000 concurrent players on Steam and 86% positive reviews from 2,700 users. Despite initial anxiety and speculation in its Discord and Reddit communities, the game has been well-received and is performing better than anticipated. The launch has avoided the negativity often seen with major releases, and the player base continues to grow.
Onimusha: Way of the Sword | New Details. Shinobi602 Twitter
▪️Roughly 20 hours to finish
▪️There are puzzles to solve
▪️The game progresses through stages, not an open world
▪️There is no connection to past games, prior knowledge not required
➡️ https://famitsu.com/article/202503/37453
Biggest releases this week
