FutureFive New Zealand - Consumer technology news & reviews from the future

Game Design stories

345

Has AAA gaming left portable too late?

5 days ago
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gaming
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network infrastructure
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edge computing
GTA 6's switch away from Nintendo Switch 2 at launch underlines a wider shift as studios rethink portable play, exclusives and hybrid gaming.
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Game review: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PC)

Last week
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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steam
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach lands on PC with ultrawide support, unlocked framerates and slick visuals, but remains an odd, divisive journey.
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Game review: Super Mario Bros. Wonder + Meetup in Bellabel Park (Switch 2)

Last week
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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nintendo
Nintendo's Switch 2 re-release of Super Mario Bros. Wonder adds Bellabel Park, tougher boss fights and slick 4K visuals for fans.
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Wizards of the Coast unveils dark Dungeons & Dragons game

Last month
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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console gaming
Wizards of the Coast and Invoke Studios announce WARLOCK, a dark fantasy Dungeons & Dragons action-adventure for PC, PS5 and Xbox due in 2027.
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Game review: MLB The Show 26 (PS5)

Last month
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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sony
MLB The Show 26 delivers polished baseball action, but stale visuals, missing March to October and a thin World Baseball Classic rollout disappoint.
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Game review: Resident Evil Requiem (PC)

Last month
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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survival-horror
Resident Evil Requiem expertly fuses classic survival horror with modern action flourishes, delivering a gripping, gore-soaked return to form.
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Game review: Mario Tennis Fever (Switch 2)

Fri, 20th Feb 2026
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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nintendo
Mario Tennis Fever serves up fast, over-the-top rallies and a surprisingly deep Adventure mode, making Switch 2's best family tennis game yet.
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Pinterest & World of Warcraft launch housing tie-up

Wed, 18th Feb 2026
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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social media
Pinterest links moodboards to World of Warcraft housing, letting players design Azeroth homes and pin in-game creations directly.
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Game review: Fighting Force Collection (Switch 2)

Thu, 5th Feb 2026
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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graphics
Fighting Force Collection on Switch 2 revives 32-bit brawling nostalgia, but clunky controls and dated design keep it firmly in the past.
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Asus ROG unveils Kojima Ludens-themed Flow Z13-KJP

Wed, 7th Jan 2026
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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llms
Asus ROG teams with Kojima Productions on a Ludens-themed Flow Z13-KJP gaming tablet and peripherals, debuting the range at CES.
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Game review: Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition (PS5)

Wed, 17th Dec 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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retro gaming
Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return on PS5 adds welcome modern tweaks, but clunky 3D, weak audio and fussy bosses dull the retro charm.
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Game review: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (Switch 2)

Mon, 15th Dec 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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nintendo
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a stunning return, marrying slick combat and 4K performance with some irksome backtracking and Amiibo-gated music.
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Game review: KAKU: Ancient Seal (PS5)

Tue, 25th Nov 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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game review
KAKU: Ancient Seal is a charming open-world action RPG for PS5, featuring cartoonish graphics, unique abilities, and enjoyable combat in a vast prehistoric world.
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Autodesk expands free access to pro software for 150m global learners

Thu, 20th Nov 2025
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edutech
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ai
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visual effects
Autodesk now offers free professional software to over 150 million students worldwide, boosting skills in design, engineering, and AI to tackle talent shortages.
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Game review: Drag x Drive (Switch 2)

Mon, 18th Aug 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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game review
Drag x Drive for Switch 2 innovatively captures wheelchair basketball using new Joy-Con mouse controls but lacks variety and vibrant characters.
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Game review: Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights (Xbox Series X)

Thu, 7th Aug 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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super mario
Cyber Clutch: Hot Import Nights on Xbox Series X combines neon-lit racing with combat, but limited tracks and gameplay issues hold it back.
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Game review: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 (Xbox Series X/Switch 2)

Mon, 14th Jul 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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tony hawk's pro skater
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 remakes iconic games with sharp visuals and smooth gameplay, but cuts to content and soundtrack disappoint longtime fans.
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Game review: Death Stranding 2: On the Beach (PS5)

Fri, 4th Jul 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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konami
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for PS5 greatly improves on its predecessor with enhanced gameplay, new enemies, fast travel, and stunning photorealistic graphics.
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Game review: Assassin's Creed Shadows (PS5)

Wed, 19th Mar 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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ubisoft
Assassin's Creed Shadows, set in stunning Feudal Japan, offers dual protagonists and action RPG elements, blending nostalgia with fresh gameplay mechanics.
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Game review: Civilization VII (PC)

Thu, 6th Mar 2025
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gaming
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digital entertainment
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console gaming
After a nearly decade-long wait, Civilization VII has finally launched, offering new challenges and mechanics in a visually stunning strategy game.